nt if only a kingdom could be found for Alencon.[1330]
Otherwise the superstitious queen mother did not doubt that she was fated
to see not only Charles, but Henry also die, to make place for her
youngest child on the throne of France. La Mothe Fenelon was therefore
instructed to put forth every exertion to bring Queen Elizabeth to the
point of consenting definitely to wed a prince her junior by about a score
of years. Nor did the negotiations appear altogether hopeless. The suitor
was, indeed, we have seen, as insignificant in body as he was contemptible
in intellectual ability. Moreover, the deep traces left on his face by the
small-pox rendered him sufficiently ungainly. The blemish was said to be
increasing, instead of diminishing, with his years.[1331] But the French
courtiers might perhaps have overcome this impediment had Elizabeth been
able to see it to be her interest to contract such close relations with
her neighbors across the channel. As it was, an agreement was actually
made that Alencon should visit England and press his suit in person; but
when the time arrived for him to cross to Dover, Catharine justified the
despatch of Marshal de Retz in his place, on the plea of her son's
illness. The excuse may have contained some truth,[1332] for, albeit
Francis of Alencon had received the baptismal name of Hercules, he was a
puny weakling, from whom no labors could ever be expected, but rather a
dull existence of sloth and imbecility. It was, however, a stretch even of
diplomatic assurance, for La Mothe Fenelon to suggest to the virgin queen
of England, as he deliberately reports that he did, that Alencon's malady
was probably due to his disappointment at Elizabeth's failure to
reciprocate his honest affection![1333] Possibly his mother and his
brother the king may about this time have begun to realize how impolitic
it would be to strengthen overmuch the personal consideration of the young
prince. Disgusted with the subordinate position assigned him at court, and
especially with the failure of his efforts to obtain the appointment of
lieutenant-general of the kingdom, lately held by Henry of Anjou, Alencon
was even now drifting into an association with the political and religious
malcontents whose existence could not altogether be ignored. The French
ambassador at the English court was, however, instructed by no means to
let the projected marriage drop.[1334]

With the patriots in the Low Countries and with the Pro