lent hater, and few
men have been more cordially hated in return. He was imperious, insolent,
hot-tempered. He could brook no equal. He had also the fatal defect of
enjoying the flattery, of his inferiors in station. Adroit intriguers
burned incense to him as a god, and employed him as their tool. And now
he had mortally offended Hohenlo, and Buys, and Barneveld, while he hated
Sir John Norris with a most passionate hatred. Wilkes, the English
representative, was already a special object of his aversion. The
unvarnished statements made by the stiff counsellor, of the expense of
the past year's administration, and the various errors committed, had
inspired Leicester with such ferocious resentment, that the friends of
Wilkes trembled for his life.

["It is generally bruited here," wrote Henry Smith to his brother-
in-law Wilkes, "of a most heavy displeasure conceived by my Lord of
Leicester against you, and it is said to be so great as that he hath
protested to be revenged of you; and to procure you the more
enemies, it is said he hath revealed to my Lord Treasurer, and
Secretary Davison some injurious speeches (which I cannot report)
you should have used of them to him at your last being with him.
Furthermore some of the said Lord's secretaries have reported here
that it were good for you never to return hither, or, if their Lord
be appointed to go over again, it will be too hot for you to tarry
there. These things thus coming to the ears of your friends have
stricken a great fear and grief into the minds of such as love you,
lest the wonderful force and authority of this man being bent
against you, should do you hurt, while there is none to answer for
you." Smith to Wilkes, 26 Jan. 1587. (S. P. Office MS.)]

Cordiality between the governor-general and Count Maurice had become
impossible. As for Willoughby and Sir William Pelham, they were both
friendly to him, but Willoughby was a magnificent cavalry officer, who
detested politics, and cared little for the Netherlands, except as the
best battle-field in Europe, and the old marshal of the camp--the only
man that Leicester ever loved--was growing feeble in health, was broken
down by debt, and hardly possessed, or wished for, any general influence.

Besides Deventer of Utrecht, then, on whom, the Earl chiefly relied
during his, absence, there were none to support him cordially, except two
or three members of the state-council.