asked if we knew what he had said? The queen bade
him not tell, but he paid no attention to her. He
told us he had said he hoped soon to see somebody
sitting there, pointing to the chair next her
majesty. The queen blushed, and asked him how he
could say so. He answered that he knew very well
she liked it; whereat her majesty laughed, and the
court laughed, etc.--Egmont and Renard to Charles
V.: _Rolls House MSS._]

When the queen's design was first publicly announced, the King of
France directed Noailles to tell her frankly the alarm with which it
was regarded at Paris. Henry and Montmorency said the same repeatedly,
and at great length, to Dr. Wotton. The queen might have the best
intentions of remaining at peace, but events might be too strong for
her; and they suggested, at last, that she might give a proof of the
good-will which she professed by making a fresh treaty with them.[198]
That a country should be at peace while its titular king was at war,
was a situation without a precedent. Intricate questions were certain
to arise; for instance, if a mixed fleet of English and Spanish ships
should escort the prince, or convoy his transports or treasure, or if
the English ships having Spaniards on board, should enter French
harbours. A thousand difficulties such as these might occur, and it
would be wise to provide for them beforehand.

[Footnote 198: Noailles.]

The uneasiness of the court of Paris was not allayed when the queen
met this most reasonable proposal with a refusal.[199] A clause, she
replied, was added to the marriage articles for the maintenance of the
existing treaties with France, and with that and with her own promises
the French government ought to be content. In vain Noailles pointed
out that the existing treaties would not meet the new conditions; she
was obstinate, and both Noailles and the King of France placed the
worst interpretation upon her attitude. Philip, after his arrival,
would unquestionably drag or lead her into his quarrels; and they
determined, therefore, to employ all means, secret and open, to
prevent his coming, and to co-operate with the English opposition.

[Footnote 199: Ibid.]

The time to act had arrived. Rumours were industriously circulated
that the Prince of Spain