Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/231

 15$2.] VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 21$ argument. The two favourites as before were vehemently hostile. Sussex repeated his opinion that the marriage would give peace to Europe, and that nothing else would save England from calamity. The comedy would perhaps have been played over once more ; but Cecil, after the meeting, was closeted for an hour with the Queen, and convinced her that to trifle further at that moment would probably cost her her crown. An order was issued to prepare a squadron to take Alen9on to the Low Countries. Pinart, in the Queen's presence, forbade him to go forbade him in his brother's name to prosecute the enterprise further unless in the capacity of her husband. Every point which had been originally raised, every rational con- dition which had been added, the King was ready to concede. So anxious was he to leave her without ex- cuse, that although he said he could not restore Calais to her, which she might use against him in some future combination, he was willing to give her hostages for the performance of his own part of the treaty ; but he could not consent that his brother and the heir of his crown should place himself defenceless as a mere adventurer in the hands of the Hollanders. What was to be done ? ' The tricks which the Queen is playing to get rid of Monsieur,' wrote Men- doza, ' are more than I can describe/ Messengers came one after another from the Prince of Orange entreating Alencon's presence. They had been sent at Elizabeth's instigation. She bribed his companions to tell him that if he let the Low Countries escape him, he could not