Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/327

 iS7o.] EXCOMMUNICATION OF ELIZABETH. 313 cution. If Alva and Philip endured this, the Catholics in England might well despair of help from them and Elizabeth might lay aside her fears. Here was a man living under the King of Spain's protection, in the em- ploy of the Government, and seized and carried off as it were under Alva's eyes. Yet Alva contented himself with a mild remonstrance to the English Minister. ' The proceeding appeared strange to him/ he said ; ' the Queen of England should remember that it would discontent her to have the like done in her countries ; it was the King's pleasure however to bear with her in a matter which he would not have suffered at another prince's hand.' 1 The English Catholics little expected such an answer. The haughty Alva had not been cele- brated for endurance of injuries. The Queen of Spain had not sailed ; ninety large ships were lying armed and manned in the Scheldt ; and unless Spain intended to forfeit her rank in Europe, she must move at last. Lord Seton sped across from Scotland to offer Aberdeen for a landing-place. Lord Derby sent word that he could raise ten thousand men in Lancashire. Arundel, Worcester, Montague, Southampton, Lumley, all told Don Guerau that they were ready. Norfolk was flinch- ing ; but Norfolk's absence mattered not. They waited only but for a sign from Alva, and they pledged their lives that there should be no second failure. Twice the Bishop of Ross came with this message to the ambas- sador. The ambassador could but send their words 1 Cobham to Cecil, August 31 : MSS. Flanders.