Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/204

 1 88 REIGN. OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. August. suited the Queen in every step which he had taken, and she had never hinted that his engaging in it would be a hindrance to the marriage. The King would not move a step till the marriage was completed, being persuaded that otherwise 'her Majesty would withdraw her neck out of the collar when once he had broken with Spain.' His connection with Flanders would be terminated to his own and her Majesty's dishonour, ' and the King of Spain, having none to oppose him, would become abso- lute conqueror.' Turenne, to whom Walsingham spoke afterwards, used the same language, hinting however that a large sum of money paid down might perhaps make a difference. 1 The King was the most irritated of all, having been betrayed into sanctioning the expedition to Ter- ceira, 2 and it became certain that, if unsupported by Elizabeth, he would disentangle himself from all con- nection with Don Antonio. Walsingham, at a distance from the Court, could write what it was difficult to say. He told his mistress that she had only to throw away her reservations and declare freely and frankly that she was willing to make a political alliance with France against Spain, and the marriage would not be pressed upon her. The French Court insisted upon it at present, only from a legitimate distrust which she had provoked by her changes. If, on the other hand, she was determined not to go to war, 1 Walsingham to Burghley, Au- gust 6 '. MSS. France. 2 Cobham to Burghley, August 9: MUKDIN.