Indeed, the interregnum between the departure of Leicester and his abdication was diligently employed by his more reckless partizans to defeat and destroy the authority of the States.  By prolonging the interval, it was hoped that no government would be possible except the arbitrary rule of the Earl, or of a successor with similar views:  for a republic—­a free commonwealth—­was thought an absurdity.  To entrust supreme power to advocates; merchants, and mechanics, seemed as hopeless as it was vulgar.  Willoughby; much devoted to Leicester and much detesting Barneveld, had small scruple in fanning the flames of discord.

There was open mutiny against the States by the garrison of Gertruydenberg, and Willoughby’s brother-in-law, Captain Wingfield, commanded in Gertruydenberg.  There were rebellious demonstrations in Naarden, and Willoughby went to Naarden.  The garrison was troublesome, but most of the magistrates were firm.  So Willoughby supped with the burgomasters, and found that Paul Buys had been setting the people against Queen Elizabeth, Leicester, and the whole English nation, making them all odious.  Colonel Dorp said openly that it was a shame for the country to refuse their own natural-born Count for strangers.  He swore that he would sing his song whose bread he had eaten.  A “fat militia captain” of the place, one Soyssons, on the other hand, privately informed Willoughby that Maurice and Barneveld were treating underhand with Spain.  Willoughby was inclined to believe the calumny, but feared that his corpulent friend would lose his head for reporting it.  Meantime the English commander did his best to strengthen the English party in their rebellion against the States.

“But how if they make war upon us?” asked the Leicestrians.

“It is very likely,” replied Willoughby, “that if they use violence you will have her Majesty’s assistance, and then you who continue constant to the end will be rewarded accordingly.  Moreover, who would not rather be a horse-keeper to her Majesty, than a captain to Barneveld or Buys?”

When at last the resignation of Leicester—­presented to the States by Killegrew on the 31st March—­seemed to promise comparative repose to the republic, the vexation of the Leicestrians was intense.  Their efforts. to effect a dissolution of the government had been rendered unsuccessful, when success seemed within their grasp.  “Albeit what is once executed cannot be prevented,” said Captain Champernoun; “yet ’tis thought certain that if the resignation of Lord Leicester’s commission had been deferred yet some little time; the whole country and towns would have so revolted and mutinied against the government and authority of the States, as that they should have had no more credit given them by the people than pleased her Majesty.  Most part of the people could see—­in consequence of the troubles, discontent, mutiny of garrisons, and the like, that it was most necessary for the good