Providence had not decreed that the country, after its long agony, should give birth to a single and perfect commonwealth.

The Walloon provinces had already fallen off from the cause, notwithstanding the entreaties of the Prince.

The other Netherlands, after long and tedious negotiation with Anjou, had at last consented to his supremacy, but from this arrangement Holland and Zealand held themselves aloof.

By a somewhat anomalous proceeding, they sent deputies along with those of the other provinces, to the conferences with the Duke, but it was expressly understood that they would never accept him as sovereign.

They were willing to contract with him and with their sister provinces--over which he was soon to exercise authority--a firm and perpetual league, but as to their own chief, their hearts were fixed.