note 366: _Chronicle of Queen Mary._]

There was dread, too, that Philip was bent on drawing England into the
war. The French ambassador had been invited to be present at the entry
into London; but the invitation had been sent informally by a common
messenger not more than half an hour before the royal party were to
appear. The brief notice was intended as an affront, and only after
some days Noailles appeared at court to offer his congratulations.
When he came at last, he expressed his master's hope to Philip that
the neutrality of England would continue to be observed. Philip
answered with cold significance, that he would keep his promise and
maintain the treaties, as long as by doing so he should consult the
interest of the realm.[367]

[Footnote 367: Tant et si longuement que se seroit
l'utilite et commodite de ce dict Royaulme
d'Angleterre.--Noailles to the King of France.]

Other menacing symptoms were also showing themselves: the claim for
the pensions was spoken of as likely to be revived; the English ships
in the Channel were making the neutrality one-sided, and protecting
the Spanish and Flemish traders; and Philip, already weary of his
bride, was urging on Renard the propriety of his hastening, like an
obedient son, to the assistance of his father. Under pretence of
escort he could take with him a few thousand English cavalry and
men-at-arms, who could be used as a menace to France, and whose
presence would show the attitude which England was about to assume.
Sick, in these brief weeks, of maintaining the show of an affection
which he did not feel, and sick of a country where his friends were
insulted if he was treated respectfully himself, he was {p.155}
already panting for freedom, and eager to utilise the instruments
which he had bought so dearly.[368]

[Footnote 368: Renard to Charles V.: _Granvelle
Papers_, vol. iv. p. 294.]

Happily for the queen's peace of mind, Renard was not a man to
encourage impatience. The factions in the council were again showing
themselves; Elizabeth lay undisposed of at Woodstock. Pomfret,
Belgium, even Hungary, had been thought of as a destination for her,
and had been laid aside one after the other, in dread of the people.
If she was released, she would again be dangerous, and it was
uncertain how long Lord Howard would endure her detention. A plan
suggested by Lord Paget see