Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/369

 1583.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 353 replied by a demand that Alencon should be replaced in the Protectorate ; and the Prince, not wishing to add France to the list of his enemies, with Elizabeth in her present humour, did his best to please her. Negotiations were opened, in which Monsieur was alternately insolent and cringing, and Elizabeth, at a loss what to do, was tossed to and fro in uncer- tainties. Alencon said truly that he had involved him- self in the quarrel of the Low Countries only for her sake, and that she was bound to adhere to him. He wished to be rid of Norris, and he boasted that if the English were sent away, he could soon settle with the States. 1 The Queen despatched Sir Arthur Darcy to apologize for Norris's behaviour. Darcy, with half-a- dozen of Alencon's suite, went to Norr'is to tell him that it was his mistress's pleasure that the English contingent should immediately withdraw. It seems however that she had sent a private message along with her order that he need not comply. Norris, with an affectation of bluntness, replied that he was a second son with not a yard of land in England ; that he had taken an oath to the States, and would not desert them without an order under the Queen's hand. 2 She abused him in public : she said in private that he had answered well. 3 Mes- Alei^on embio * pedir i la Mendoza al Rey, 7 17 Marcio, Reyna que pues desea tanto su acre- scentamiento y tener su partido con- tra todo el mundo, mande lucgo salir los Ingleses que estan en los Estados, que como el quede solo con Fra^cses sc nvendra muy bien con los Estados.' 1583 : MSS. Simancas. 2 Ibid. 3 ' Diciendo malas palabras del dicho Norris en publico y en secreto Lien.' Mendoza al Rey, 18 28 Marcio, 1583 : MSS. Simancas. 23