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 1569.] THE RISING OF THE NORTH. 157 ment with Spain, and made no progress. He offered terms, the details of which are not preserved, hut terms so favourable to England as to he humiliating to the Catholic King. The more pliant Philip appeared the more Elizabeth distrusted him. To make him see that she had no fears she discussed each condition with laboured prolixity : at length she said she would write to Philip, and desired the minister to be the bearer of her letter. Chapin asked permission to send to Alva for advice ; the rebellion was made an excuse for refus- ing his request ; and, desperate at length of effecting anything whatever by negotiation, he found means to let Alva know that the English Government was in- veterately hostile, and that without a revolution the two countries could never be brought together again. 1 It was a conclusion which both Philip and Alva were most reluctant to accept. In Philip's correspond- ence there is visible an extreme fear lest any represent- ative of Spain should be found implicated in treason and conspiracy, an extreme dislike of encouraging or meddling with seditious persons, however unimpeach- able their orthodoxy. The sympathies of Alva were on the side always of order, law, and government. He disapproved of heresy, but it was a question with him whether rebellion was nqt a greater crime. Such a loose, heedless, and ill- concerted movement as that of the two Earls seemed utterly contemptible to him. He owed his success as a general to prudence as well as 1 La Mothe au Roy, December 27 : Depeches, vol. ii.