Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 5.djvu/335

1553.] The English ministers intended to be offensive, but they were disarmed by the courtesy of Egmont, who charmed every one. In ten days the business connected with the treaty was concluded. The treaty itself was sent to Brussels to be ratified, and the dispensations from Rome, and the necessary powers from the Prince of Spain, were alone waited for that the marriage might be concluded in public or in private, whichever way would be most expeditious. The Queen cared only for the completion of the irrevocable ceremony, which would bring her husband to her side before Lent.

The interval of delay was consumed in hunting-parties and dinners at the palace, where the courtiers played off before the guests the passions of their eager mistress. The enemies of the marriage, French and English, had no time to lose, if they intended to prevent the completion of it.

When the Queen's design was first publicly announced, the King of France directed