being detained either by weather, as the
admiral pretended, or by the ill-humour of the crews, who swore they
would give the French cruisers small trouble, should they present
themselves.[194] On Christmas-day ill-looking vessels were hanging in
mid-channel, off Calais harbour, but the ambassadors were resolved to
cross at all risks. They stole over in the darkness on the night of
the 26th, and were at Dover by nine in the morning. Their retinue, a
very large one, was sent on at once to London; snow was on the ground,
and the boys in the streets saluted the first comers with showers of
balls. The ambassadors followed the next day, and were received in
silence, but without active insult. The emperor's choice of persons
for his purpose had been judicious. The English ministers intended to
be offensive, but they were disarmed by the courtesy of Egmont, who
charmed every one. In ten days the business connected with the treaty
was concluded. The treaty itself was sent to Brussels to be ratified,
and the dispensations from Rome, and the necessary powers from the
Prince of Spain, were alone waited for that the marriage might be
concluded in public or in private, whichever way would be most
expeditious. The queen cared only for the completion of the
irrevocable ceremony, which would bring her husband to her side before
Lent.[195]

[Footnote 194: Noailles to the King of France,
December 6: _Ambassades_, vol. ii.]

[Footnote 195: The Bishop of Arras to the
Ambassadors in England: _Granvelle Papers_, vol.
iv. p. 181, etc.]

The interval of delay was consumed in hunting-parties[196] and dinners
at the palace, where the courtiers played off before the guests the
passions of their eager mistress.[197] The enemies of {p.086} the
marriage, French and English, had no time to lose, if they intended to
prevent the completion of it.

[Footnote 196: The 10th day of January the
ambassadors rode into Hampton Court, and there they
had as great cheer as could be had, and hunted and
killed, tag and rag, with hounds and
swords.--Machyn's _Diary_.]

[Footnote 197: After dinner Lord William Howard
entered, and, seeing the queen pensive, whispered
something to her in English; then turning to us, he