Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/511

 I579-] THE ALENCQN MARRIAGE. 401 nevved his entreaty to be allowed to visit the idol of liis heart and hope. Elizabeth was now in extreme perplexity. The net which she had made was closing round her. The actual coming of the Prince would bring her a step nearer to the matrimonial abyss than she had hitherto ventured. The council were again assembled. She inquired whether, considering that the Duke had given way, she could honourably refuse him an interview ; and whether if, after seeing him, ' there should not fall out any liking/ she could then extricate herself without offence. She wished to be encouraged in inventing causes for delay, but it could not be. Little as the council wished for the marriage, to trifle further might make France even forget the Portuguese succession. They replied that ' the circumstances considered of former proceed- ings, they did not see how, in honour, Alencon's visit could be denied/ nor before he had been seen was the time apt to consider how the matter could be broken off.' 1 Simier was again called in. He said that the Duke would be ready to cross by the middle or end of August. A squadron of the Queen's ships was promised to be in attendance at Calais, with passports for himself and his suite. Sir Amyas Paulet was instructed to tell him that if he did not fancy the Queen's person, she would not be angry with him, and he was exhorted, on his part, ' to brook denial with patience.' 1 Proceedings iu Council, June, 1579. "Walsingham's hand.