Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/170

 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 58. So much for Spain and Flanders. It was more diffi- cult to determine what attitude to assume towards the wretched Charles and Catherine. The ratifications had but just been exchanged of a treaty of the closest friend- ship, and the whole affair was as inexplicable as it was monstrous. Fears at first were entertained for Wal- singham and his suite. It was ascertained, on this point, > that the alarm was unnecessary. A guard had been placed at the Embassy, where all the English in Paris had collected, and one or two only had been killed who had neglected to take refuge there. But with regard to the catastrophe itself, Walsingham's first letters were brief and obscure. He wrote under evident restraint, not daring to speak out lest his words might fall under eyes for which they were not intended. Many days passed before the Queen could bring her- self to receive La Mo the Fenelon. The wish of the people was to tear the treaty to shreds, drive La Mothe out of the country, and fling defiance at the whole French nation. But impulses which may be honourable and right in individuals who risk only their own lives and fortunes are forbidden to those who are responsible for the safety of the commonwealth. It might be heroic, land la qual residia en Malinas, y al Conde de "Westmoreland, y a Milord Morley, y a los demas Ingleses que los mas estaban en Lovayna, procure de haberlos, aunqiie de por ellos muchos dineros, y los envie aqni, que esto es un negocio que ellos mucho desean y procuran ; y assi si los pobres no se hubieren salido de los dichos pueblos antes que se rindiesen, ciertamente ellos vendrian &, manos destos, aunque les cueste grandis- sima suma de dineros.' Foga<ja to Euy Gomez, September 16 : MS/S. Simancas.