Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/460

 440 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 61. said that lie disappointed. 1 Ultimately Crofts and Crofts alone became a pensioner of Philip, not mean- ing to betray his country, but conscientiously believing in the desirableness of the Spanish alliance, and being unable as he said through his mistress's parsimony to remain longer at the Court without assistance. By other methods, not less effective, by quick perception and insight into character, the ambassador made his way with Elizabeth. He never ceased to urge on her the goodwill of Philip to the general repose of Europe, and his special regard for herself. Philip and only Philip, he said, had prevented enthusiastic Spaniards from passing into Ireland. Philip so loved his chil- dren in the Netherlands, that he was ready and eager to pardon their rebellion, if they would but let the out- ward religion be ordered by the law. Elizabeth list- ened with pleased ears to words reflecting so accurately her own sentiments. In the growth of Protestantism in the Low Countries, she could see only an increasing obstacle to peace. 2 She defended her own religious government on the ground that she held the Catholic creed herself, and that her differences with her Catholic subjects were merely political. 3 She pleaded mildly for some relaxation in favour of Holland and Zealand ; 1 Descifrada de Don Bernardino, 21 de Maios y 9 de Setiembre : JUSS. Simancas. 'That which her Majesty seems most to mislike of, which is the pro- gress of religion being well con- sidfred, is the thing which shall breed their greatest strength.' "Walsingham to Burghley, Septem- ber 20 : MSS. Holland. 3 ' Me replico que no castigaba a los Catholicos sino por no confesarle por Keyna. Que en lo demas creya como cllos.'