Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/525

 r 571.1 THE RIDOLFT CONSPIRACY. 511 Was lie in communication with the Catholic noblemen, or with the refugees in Flanders ? He had never spoken to one of them. But when Philip went on to inquire who and what he was then, and what claim he possessed to he believed, Fitzwilliam haughtily answered, that the credit of Sir John Hawkins was in his right hand, and what he said he meant. He had offered to pass over to the service of his Majesty with the English fleet. He desired nothing in return but the release of a few poor prisoners at Seville, who were not worth the cost of keeping them. The crews of the ships would follow where he led them. The King need only pay them their usual wages, and advance some small sum of money to complete the equipment of the vessels to which his own means were unequal. 1 The thing was strange, but the very boldness and simplicity of Fitzwilliam's language was against the notion of deception. The Duke of Feria, whom Philip consulted, took his cue from his wife's 2 relations, who were enthusiastic believers in the success of the re- volution. The Duke saw in the adherence of the king of the buccaneers only a fresh proof that all England was returning to the faith. Don Guerau's letters were favourable ; and Philip at last listened listened so far at least as to write to the ambassador for fuller information, and to tell Fitzwilliam that if he would return to him with a letter of introduction 1 * Las cosas de que Jorge Fitzwilliam ha de traer claridad.' April, 1571 : MSS. Simancas. Respuesto a los Articulos : Ibid. 2 Jane Dormer, one of Queen Mary's maids of honour.