Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/567

 1584-5.] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 551 upon the throne that the control of the Government might pass at any time to the Guises. The direct in- terference of England, he thought, would be at once the boldest, safest, and in the long run the cheapest course. Elizabeth however took her own way. Deputies from the States were despatched to France in December, with proposals for annexation. Had those proposals been clear and unconditional, and had England made no opposition, they would have been instantly accepted, and a French army would have taken the field against Parma. Mendoza, who had succeeded de Tassis as Minister at Paris, twice demanded an audience to re- monstrate, and was twice refused. The third time he asked for his passports, and the Queen-mother recom- mended that he should be taken at his word. Spanish ducats were scattered among the council, and the King at last received him, but the interview was fierce and stormy. The ambassador insisted that his master's rebels should not be admitted into the King's presence. Henry replied ' in great choler ' that he was no man's subject ; his realm was free to all comers, and his ears open to all petitions. Mendoza went from him to Ca- therine. Catherine said that if her son would take her advice, he would both hear the Deputies and help them ; the incorporation of the Provinces with France would easy to a Spanish conquest. Besides, it is to be considered that he is so coldly affected to any cause that carries honour or surety withal as one given over to a careless security, unfit for his calling, as the least im- pediment may stay him. Ibid.