I did
accept them, as if. I had before neither seen nor heard of them."

This then was the aspect of affairs in the provinces during the absence
of the deputies in France. It is now necessary to shift the scene to that
country.

CHAPTER IV.

Reception of the Dutch Envoys at the Louvre--Ignominious Result of
the Embassy--Secret Influences at work--Bargaining between the
French and Spanish Courts--Claims of Catharine de' Medici upon
Portugal--Letters of Henry and Catharine--Secret Proposal by France
to invade England--States' Mission to Henry of Navarre--Subsidies
of Philip to Guise--Treaty of Joinville--Philip's Share in the
League denied by Parma--Philip in reality its Chief--Manifesto of
the League--Attitude of Henry III. and of Navarre--The League
demands a Royal Decree--Designs of France and Spain against England
--Secret Interview of Mendoza and Villeroy--Complaints of English
Persecution--Edict of Nemours--Excommunication of Navarre and his
Reply.

The King, notwithstanding his apparent reluctance, had, in Sir Edward
Stafford's language, "nibbled at the bait." He had, however, not been
secured at the first attempt, and now a second effort was to be made,
under what were supposed to be most favourable circumstances. In
accordance with his own instructions, his envoy, Des Pruneaux, had been
busily employed in the States, arranging the terms of a treaty which
should be entirely satisfactory. It had been laid down as an
indispensable condition that Holland and Zeeland should unite in the
offer of sovereignty, and, after the expenditure of much eloquence,
diplomacy, and money, Holland and Zeeland had given their consent. The
court had been for some time anxious and impatient for the arrival of the
deputies. Early in December, Des Pruneaux wrote from Paris to Count
Maurice, urging with some asperity, the necessity of immediate action.

"When I left you," he said, "I thought that performance would follow
promises. I have been a little ashamed, as the time passed by, to hear
nothing of the deputies, nor of any excuse on the subject. It would seem
as though God had bandaged the eyes of those who have so much cause to
know their own adversity."

To the States his language was still more insolent. "Excuse me,
Gentlemen," he said, "if I tell you that I blush at hearing nothing from
you. I shall have the shame and you the damage. I regret much the capture
of De Teligny, and oth