Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/519

 THE RIDOLFI CONSPIRACY. to those who were already in league against her. The resolution of Philip's council was immediately forwarded to Alva ; and Ridolfi, according to the Queen of Scots' instructions, would have gone on to Portugal. But Philip was unwilling to extend further the circle of conspiracy. If the enterprise was to succeed at all, his own troops would be sufficient, and Ridolfi's head long temper did not personally recommend him to con- fidence. He too was sent to Brussels to be at Alva's orders. He wrote enthusiastic letters to Norfolk, to Mary Stuart, and the Bishop of "Ross, detailing his sue' cess, and forwarded them under cover to Don Guerau ; but there was so much fear of a premature disturbance, that Alva ordered Don Guerau not to deliver them, forbade him to mention their arrival, or to open his lips upon the subject to any living person till further orders. 1 The Catholic King meanwhile made such August, haste as he was able to fit out the Duke of Medina Celi, whom Chapin was to accompany. 2 The power of Spain was still vast, but its movements were 1 Alva to Don Guerau, July 30 : MSS. Simancas. 2 There seems to have been some uncertainty, after all, whether 1'hilip did not withdraw his sanction of the murder. "Writing on the 4th of August to Alva, he tells him simply to prepare to invade England, to assist the Catholics who were to rise in rebellion. Chapin, he says, was to command the expedition. Alva understood this to mean that Philip would carry out Ridolfi's ori- ginal proposal. He referred the King to the objections which he had already laid before him, and insisted that no force should be sent to Eng- land till the Queen was in the hands of Norfolk and the Queen of Scots at liberty. Precis de la Correspondance de Philip II : GACHARD, vol. ii.