[Footnote 230: Holinshed; Noailles.]

Had Wyatt, said Noailles, been able to reach London simultaneously
with this answer, he would have found the gates open and the whole
population eager to give him welcome. To his misfortune he lingered on
the way, and the queen had time to use his words against him. The two
gentlemen returned indignant at his insolence. The next morning
(February 1), Count Egmont waited on Mary to say that he and his
companions were at her service, and would stand by her to their death.
Perplexed as she was, Egmont said he found her "marvellously firm."
The marriage, she felt, must, at all events, be postponed for the
present; the prince could not come till the insurrection was at an
end; and, while she was grateful for the offer, she not only thought
it best to decline the ambassadors' kindness, but she recommended
them, if possible, to leave London and the country without delay.
Their party was large enough to irritate the people, and too small to
be of use. She bade Egmont, therefore, tell the emperor that from the
first she had put her trust in God, and that she trusted in Him still;
and for themselves, she told them to go at once, taking her best
wishes with them. They obeyed. Six Antwerp merchant sloops were in the
river below the bridge, waiting to sail. They stole on board, dropped
down the tide, and were gone.

The afternoon of the same day the queen herself, with a studied air of
dejection,[231] rode through the streets to the Guildhall, attended by
Gardiner and the remnant of the guard. In St. Paul's Churchyard she
met Pembroke, and slightly bowed as she passed him. Gardiner was
observed to stoop to his saddle. The hall was crowded with citizens:
some brought there by hatred, some by respect, many by pity, but more
by curiosity. When the queen entered she stood forward on the steps,
above the throng, and, in her deep man's voice, she spoke to
them.[232]

[Footnote 231: Vous, asseurant, sire, comme celluy
qui l'a veu, que scaichant la dicte dame aller au
diet lieu, je me deliberay en cape de veoir de
quelle visaige elle et sa compaignie y alloient;
que je congneus estre aussy triste et desploree
qu'il se peult penser.--Noailles to the King of
France, Feb. 1.]

[Footnote 232: La voce grossa et quasi di
hu