Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/198

 1 82 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. Spaniard and a Mendoza, should have refused the re- quest of a lady. But he was in no humour for soft speeches. He said that since it was her pleasure he would wait four days, and for the time consented to withdraw. But he was sick of the work on which he was employed, and as eager to break the diplomatic meshes as "Walsingham could be. He told Philip, that surrounded as he was by malice and falsehood, he could do little more good by remaining at his post. He wanted skill to steer his way among such quicksands. He had tried to place himself in the hands of God, the matters with which he was occupied being chiefly such as con- cerned Him. But he was so great a sinner that he feared God would not use his service. 1 The squadron was still in active preparation, when the Portuguese pretender appeared in person. He had been in Paris and had seen the Queen-mother, and Ca- therine and Henry had sent him on to London. Greatly disturbed at his coming, Elizabeth at first affected to be indignant that a rebel to his sovereign should dare to approach her presence. She was afraid of provoking Philip further, and Walsiugham expected that he would be shuffled in haste out of the realm. He lay concealed at Stepney, the Queen refusing to see him till he had let her know that he was not come to ask for money. But Don Antonio had brought with him the Braganza jewels which he wished to dispose of, and was ready to pay Avith the proceeds for the equipment 1 Mendoza to Philip, June i$ : MSS. Simancas,