Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/102

 b2 RRIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 41. not trusting Maitland, the Spanish ambassador, on his own responsibility, sent an English friend to lay before her the wishes of the Catholics, and to assure her that whether she obtained the Prince of Spain, or accepted the Archduke Charles, Philip in either case would sup- port her claims in England by arms. 1 At this crisis the letters of Philip and Alva reached London. De Quadra regretted that his commission was so cautiously worded ; but he lost not a moment in de- spatching his own secretary, Luis de Paz, to Holyrood. As a blind to the English Government he sent him first to Chester, under pretence of inquiring into the seizure of a Spanish ship by pirates. At Chester de Paz found that the pirates in question were Scots and went on as if to seek redress at Edinburgh. There he saw Mary Stuart, Maitland, and Murray. His message was re- ceived with delight by all of them. The Queen of Scots wrote to the Duchess of Parma, relinquishing with eager gratitude every other prospect for herself. The Bishop of Ross hurried off to London to de Quadra to agree to all conditions which Philip might ask. 2 The long and dangerous labours of the indefatigable ambassador were at last, it seemed, about to prosper and bear fruit when in the moment of success he was taken away. Luis de Paz returned to London on the 26th of Au- August. gust to find him dying. 'He knew me,' Luis Que tenga fuerzas para conseguir su derecko 5, este Reyno.' MS. 2 Note of the mission of Luis de Paz to Scotland, by Diego Perez. MIGNET'S Life of Mary Stuart. Appendix C.