Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/361

 1582.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 345 Equally great was the consternation in Protestant England, and beyond all in the Queen. Ill as it had pleased her to use him, none knew better than she the value of William of Nassau. Her own life had been threatened as often as his, and his fate, when he was thought to be dying, appeared but a foretaste of her own. The first news entirely overwhelmed her. 1 The realm had its own fears. The very thought of a sudden vacancy of the throne was simply appalling ; and in the midst of her terrors, Burghley had to remind her of the duty which she had so long refused to perform of naming a successor. 2 In her first excitement, her thoughts turned into the stereotyped track. She swore she would send for Alencon and marry him ; and Wal- singham, who knew what would follow, and feared that a fresh affront to France might be fatal, prevented her with difficulty from sending a gentleman of her house- hold to recall the Duke into the realm. 3 Both hopes and fears were this time disappointed. The Prince's fine constitution and admirable courage gave him a chance of recovery when a weaker person must have died. Once more Philip had failed, but he nursed his purpose ; and the Catholic faith, which has 1 ' Se anichilo aquel dia tanto j sallos no queria que se perdieren.' como le hubieran quitado la corona.' Ibid. Mendoza al Rey, I n Avril : MSS. Simancas. 2 ' Entiendo que el Thesorero le ha persuadido muy de veras estos dias hiciesc cierta prcvencion para dc-clarar el successor deste Eeyno, si las vidas, hijos y bienes de sus vas- 3 'El Walsinghara, por estar cierto que no piensa casarse, teme quo sera parte semejante demostra- cion tras las pasadas para iritar al de Francia, perdiendole de todo punto.' Ibid.