Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/237

 1582.] VOYAGE OF SIX FRANCIS DRAKE. was now ready to become his wife. 1 She did not even leave it to Marchmont to communicate with his master. She commissioned a gentleman of her household to carry the flattering message to him from her own lips. Wal- singham, hearing what she was doing, cautioned her that if Monsieur took her at her word, and she again disappointed him, every Catholic prince in Europe would set upon her. 2 She hesitated for a moment, but she imagined or she pretended that she was resigned to the sacrifice. She sent for Mauvissiere, and gave him her solemn word of honour, that if he would bring Monsieur back she would marry him. Mauvissiere, like her own ministers, had heard the same song too often to be deluded further. To herself he answered that she had made him write what she did not mean so often, that he must decline to take a further part. To others he said, that if she intended to continue her tricks she must use paper and ink of her own. 3 Even Leicester and Hatton were now April. frightened. One more affront to France might be the last which would be borne. Sussex wished to see something done, as well as talked of, towards the reconciliation with Spain. Cecil, touching yet more 1 Mendoza to the King, March 19, 1582 : MSS. Simancas. 2 'La Reyna despacho" un gentil- homhre de su camera, pidiendo a Alenijon se partiese al raomento de los Estados. Pero Walsingham, en- tendida esta resolucion, le dixd mirase lo que hacia, porque cuando Alen<jon viniese era forcjoso casarse Con el, y cuando no, venir las armas de todos los Principes Christianos sohre ella.' Don Bernardino al Rey, I Avril : MSS. Simancas. 3 ' Diciendo en publico que pues la Reyna queria continuarse en en- gaSar al mundo, que aun tenia p;ipe. y tinta para hacello.' Ihid.