Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/395

 1575 ] THE SPANISH TREATY. 375 desirable. She sent money she replied with gracious vagueness, that she would think about the league ; that she approved of what he was doing, understanding that it was not directed against the King, but against his ' ill-advisers/ ' whose passions would not suffer him to enjoy quietness at home, nor friendship with his best affected confederates/ 1 La Noue meanwhile was in correspondence with Walsingham, and keeping a watch on Monsieur, of whom he felt uncertain so long as his mother was at hand to play upon him. 2 It was at the same moment that St Aldegonde and his companions arrived in London with the offer of the States ; and the Queen had two cards in her hand, to play either or both as suited her convenience. The Hugue- nots used their momentary superiority Conde set him- self in motion at Strasburgh, and advanced slowly on the Paris road. Casimir pushed on towards the Loire, Guise, who had recovered from his wound, following him and pressing for help from Philip. The French King, only atixious for peace, became more than ever desirous to dispose of his brother in England. He told the English minister, that 'if he might see the Duke so matched, he would sing Nunc dimittis ; and that if he died without children he would settle his crown on her Majesty's offspring/ 3 He wrote to Elizabeth descanting on her divine perfections, and 1 Her Majesty's secret letter to the Due d'Alenson. Walsingham's hand ; MSS. France. 2 Walsingham to Burghley, No- vember 22 : MSS. Ibid. 3 Dale to Elizabeth, December 19.