Nov., 1576] DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA
"I can only praise God," she wrote, "for your appointment to the government of the Low Countries, and trust that the same success that, thanks to your great valour and prudence, has everywhere attended you will continue to crown your efforts.
"Your very loving and more than
very affectionate cousin,
"Chrétienne.
"Blamont, November 12, 1576."[642]
In her anxiety to see Don John, the Duchess set out for Pont-à-Mousson; but when she reached Nancy, on the 12th of December, she heard that the Prince had already left Luxembourg for the Netherlands, and sent him the following letter by a confidential servant, who was to tell him many things which she could not commit to paper:
"My Cousin,
"The singular wish that I have to see Your Highness, and confer with you on many points of the highest importance, induced me to leave Blamont and come to Pont-à-Mousson, in order to be near you and to have an opportunity of seeing you and conversing together, as you will learn more fully from this gentleman whom I am sending to wish you all prosperity and success in your noble designs and enterprises, as well as to tell you many things which I beg you to hear and believe."[643]
Don John replied in the same friendly spirit, telling her his plans and thanking her most warmly for her advice.
"As for me," he wrote, "I am exceedingly obliged to Your Highness for your offers, and shall always be most grateful for your advice and help, knowing, Madame, your great experience and wisdom in affairs. God knows how anxious I was to come and see Your Highness on my journey here, and kiss your hands, but it was impossible owing to the urgency of affairs requiring my presence here. I am very glad indeed," he adds in a postscript, "to hear that you are in good health."[644]
The Prince was evidently impressed by the soundness of the Duchess's judgment and by her great popularity in the Netherlands, for when, a few weeks later, he began to realize the hopeless nature of his task, and begged for his recall, he repeatedly told Philip that, in his opinion, the Duchess of Lorraine would be the best person to take his place.