Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/513

 I579-] THE ALENCON' MARRIAGE. 493 scandals of that bad story concern only the curious in human wickedness. It is enough that the only man that Elizabeth ever loved was the husband of another woman. It had been done without seeking her per- mission, for permission it was well known would never have been granted. Hatton too, it was said, had formed a similar secret connection ; and after a struggle of three days, in an indignant agony of tears, and rather forced at last than convinced that it was necessary, she subscribed the document which was to bring Alencon to her feet. 1 If she was playing an idle game the sport was dan- gerous, but it rather seems that she had no formed, no fixed resolution. She varied in earnest from day to day, flashing up into violence when contradicted, and desponding when the opposition ceased. It had been her own work from the beginning. She had made the first advances in her eagerness to break her connection with the Low Countries, and the alternative which she then preferred was knocking at her door, and she had to meet it as she could. Alencon came came without ostentation, hardly stirred beyond the palace, and re- mained but a few days but the objection behind which she had shielded herself hitherto was removed. She 1 'Leicester and Hatton are mar- ried secretly, which hath so offended this Queen, it is thought she has been led upon such miscontentment to agree to the sight of the Duke of Alenqon. Notwithstanding, she had differred three whole days with an extreme regret and many tears afore she would subscribe the passport, being induced thereunto, and almost forced by those that have led this negotiation, in spite of Leicester.' The Queen of Scots to the Arch- bishop of Glasgow, July 4, 1579: LABANOFF, vol. v.