Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/439

 1584.] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 423 her Majesty would accept them for her subjects, were still eager to become part of the English Empire. The Queen perhaps fancied that she was in earnest. Perhaps she had other thoughts, which she did not like to ac- knowledge. She retained her coolness, at any rate, and chose to stand prepared for all contingencies. She de- spatched Secretary Davison to say that she compassion- ated the Prince's condition, and was anxious to help him; but she had 'not forgotten the Protestants in France, who, after embroiling her in war, made their own peace, and then turned against her.' ' Her Majesty had been cooled towards them ' towards the Hugue- nots, and towards all others in the same position ' from that time forth.' If she went to war for their sakes and it pleased her to pretend that her motive was purely disinterested she said ' she must have assurance.' She could not accept the States as subjects, but she was will- ing to be their protectress on condition that Flushing, Brill, and Enchusen were made over to her to be occu- pied by English garrisons. 1 A few months before, the Queen of England was on the edge of becoming an open enemy. These three towns were the keys of the States' independence, and it was possible, though blasphemy to dream of it, that she might be nursing some secret purpose of making terms with Philip for herself by betraying them. The nego- tiation not unnaturally ' cooled a little.' 1 Davison to Walsingliam, April 3-13; Burnam to Darison, April 21 May i : MSS. Holland.