With youthful fire he protested that he could ride a horse as fast and endure fatigue as long as the youngest man, even though the goal were the end of the world.
Such an exertion, however, was by no means expected of him, for he was to set sail at Flushing and land at Loredo in Spain.

There Postmaster-General de Tassis would furnish him with horses.
The Emperor had listened to this proposal from his counsellor with a smile of satisfaction.

His purpose was sufficiently obvious.
How thoroughly this young diplomat understood men! With how delicate a scent he had again discovered a secret and removed a stone of offence from his master's path! He was competent to fill his clever father's place in every respect.

It was evident that neither promises nor gifts would have induced the old warrior to favour the tender wishes of his imperial master.

Now he himself hastened to leave the field clear, and Granvelle had foreseen how he would receive the proposal.
Charles intentionally refrained from taking any personal share in the arrangements with the old man which now followed.