Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/226

 210 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. tone before many weeks were over. The humour at Paris had become really dangerous. The Duke of Guise was recalled to Court, received with studied favour, and was present at the audiences of Sir H. Cobham, hanging like a threatening portent over the King's shoulder. Though his brother might submit to be trifled with, Henry said, the honour of France was touched and the nation would not bear the reproach. The request for Calais he treated as an insult. To en- tertain the proposal, he said, might cost him his crown. At this moment came the unwelcome news December. . that the Prince of Parma had taken Tournay. The States had trusted to Alencon, and Alencon was idling in England, and France was rendered motionless by Elizabeth's uncertainties. An impression spread among the Netherlanders that they were betrayed, and a cry rose at Bruges that it would be better to make terms with the enemy while they had still something to lose. 1 Events would not wait while Elizabeth was amusing herself. After a week of confusion and quarrel the council met, and Cecil, desperate of any good reso- lution in the Queen, supposing now that she would only exasperate France, and in Walsingham's words, 'for amity find enmity,' said that there was but one course open. They must make peace with Spain, securing the best terms they could obtain for the Netherlands and restoring Drake's plunder. No one could any more be- lieve that the Queen would marry. It was equally cer- 1 Th. Stokes to Walsmgham, December 24 : MSS. Holland.