Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/223

 VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. his first arrival little seems to have been said about the marriage, the Queen trying to lay him under obliga- tions to her in other ways, which could not be spoken of in treaties. He was heir to the French crown. The Guises and the enemies of religion interfered with his legitimate influence and threatened to obstruct his sucr cession. If he would maintain the edicts, ' her High- ness promised all her power to support him and impugn his contraries/ He had ' taken on him the protection of the Low Countries.' 'Her Majesty would aid and succour him as far as she might with the contributions of her realm and people.' 1 But if this would satisfy Alen9on it would not satisfy France. Since the Duke had chosen to come to England, the French Government desired to be informed of the probable results of his visit, and three weeks after his arrival Mauvissiere waited on the Queen to learn what he might write to his master. It was the 22nd of November. She had settled for the winter at Greenwich. She was taking her morning walk in the gallery with Alencon at her side, and Leicester and Walsingham behind, when Mauvissiere was introduced. He put his question with a French- man's politeness. ' Write this to your master/ she an- swered : ' the Duke will be my husband.' With a sud- den impulse she turned upon Monsieur, kissed his ' Knave,' que cs una palabra muy injuriosa en Ingles, porque me has dicho tantas veces lo contrario y males del, que te vuelves como beleta.' Meiidoza al Rey, 7 No- viembre : MSS. Simancas. 1 Note in Burghlcy's hand, No- vember 14 ; MS$. France, Jtolls Home.