Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/428

412 uncertain whether the council were in earnest, he said that he must first inform his master, and receive an answer from him.

The council swiftly convinced him that they were serious. They again rose from their seats while Walsingham said for them that delay could not be allowed. The ambassador must leave the country at once. He had done ill service to the King of Spain, and he had cause to congratulate himself that her Majesty had not ordered him to be chastised.

The blood of the Mendozas flamed up at the word chastisement. Starting on his feet also, and, as he ad- mitted, bursting with passion, he replied that he would answer for his conduct to his master alone. None else should touch him unless sword in hand. Chastisement was a fool's word. Let the Queen send him his pass- port, and he would begone. She was quarrelling with her best friend, but being a woman she was acting after her kind. As he had not pleased her as a minister of peace, he would endeavour for the future to satisfy her better in war. Not feeling quite certain whether Philip would approve of his violence, he said in his report that he had been so angry that he could not control himself. To be sent away thus suddenly was supremely inconvenient.