The attempt of Philip to procure her dethronement and assassination but a few years before was, no doubt, thought too trifling a circumstance to have for a moment interrupted those harmonious relations.

Nothing came of the negotiations on either side.

The Queen coquetted, as was her custom.

She could not accept the offer of the estates; she could not say them nay.
She would not offend Philip; she would not abandon the provinces; she would therefore negotiate--thus there was an infinite deal of diplomatic nothing spun and unravelled, but the result was both to abandon the provinces and to offend Philip.
In the first answer given by her commissioners to the states' envoys, it was declared, "that her Majesty considered it too expensive to assume the protection of both provinces." She was willing to protect them in name, but she should confer the advantage exclusively on Walcheren in reality.
The defence of Holland must be maintained at the expense of the Prince and the estates.
This was certainly not munificent, and the envoys insisted upon more ample and liberal terms.

The Queen declined, however, committing herself beyond this niggardly and inadmissible offer.