Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/374

 354 RETGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 60 mended need stand only as long as it was useful. Con- venience was the measure of obligation even between Christian States, far more therefore between a Christian and a heretic. 1 An English ambassador could do no harm at Madrid, a Spanish ambassador in London would have mass in his house, would protect the Catholics, and prevent persecution. The Queen was well disposed to Spain. It was supremely important to humour her inclinations, and prevent her from drawing closer to France. In affairs of State, as in philosophy, imagination was a powerful element. It was no question of conscience, and the King could throw her over when he pleased/ 2 So construed the alliance was less alarming. Quiroga himself was willing to make allowances. ' The thing desired was not so bad but that it might be made good by circumstances.' The English trade would no doubt be useful, and implied diplomatic intercourse. The difficulty lay in the details. Was an English ambas- sador at Madrid to be allowed to use a heretic service ? Was the Holy Office to see its authority impaired in the port towns ? Beaten on the main argument, President Hopper stood out against concession in details. ' There were men about the King/ he said, hitting at Alva, ' who pretended that scruples were out of place in politics/ 1 ' Siendo su intencion que dure mientras durara la necessidad como lo liacen los Principes Christianos uno con otro, quanto mas con la Reyna herege.' Parecc" de Alva: MSS. Simancas. 2 ' Que los negocios de Estado se fundan en imagination como los filo- sofos, y que pues es cosa temporal que la puede soltar quando quisiere.' Parecer do . Hva ; Ibid.