was certainly not free from the charge of nepotism, he shrank
from the reproach of having apparently removed Aerssens to make a place
for one of his own family.

Van der Myle remained to bear the brunt of the late ambassador's malice,
and to engage at a little later period in hottest controversy with him,
personal and political. "Why should van der Myle strut about, with his
arms akimbo like a peacock?" complained Aerssens one day in confused
metaphor. A question not easy to answer satisfactorily.

The minister selected was a certain Baron Asperen de Langerac, wholly
unversed in diplomacy or other public affairs, with abilities not above
the average. A series of questions addressed by him to the Advocate, the
answers to which, scrawled on the margin of the paper, were to serve for
his general instructions, showed an ingenuousness as amusing as the
replies of Barneveld were experienced and substantial.

In general he was directed to be friendly and respectful to every one, to
the Queen-Regent and her counsellors especially, and, within the limits
of becoming reverence for her, to cultivate the good graces of the Prince
of Conde and the other great nobles still malcontent and rebellious, but
whose present movement, as Barneveld foresaw, was drawing rapidly to a
close. Langerac arrived in Paris on the 5th of April 1614.

Du Maurier thought the new ambassador likely to "fall a prey to the
specious language and gentle attractions of the Due de Bouillon." He also
described him as very dependent upon Prince Maurice. On the other hand
Langerac professed unbounded and almost childlike reverence for
Barneveld, was devoted to his person, and breathed as it were only
through his inspiration. Time would show whether those sentiments would
outlast every possible storm.

CHAPTER X

Weakness of the Rulers of France and England--The Wisdom of
Barneveld inspires Jealousy--Sir Dudley Carleton succeeds Winwood--
Young Neuburg under the Guidance of Maximilian--Barneveld strives to
have the Treaty of Xanten enforced--Spain and the Emperor wish to
make the States abandon their Position with regard to the Duchies--
The French Government refuses to aid the States--Spain and the
Emperor resolve to hold Wesel--The great Religious War begun--The
Protestant Union and Catholic League both wish to secure the Border
Provinces--Troubles in Turkey--Spanish Fleet seizes La Roche--Spain
places large Armies on a Wa