Walsingham, her first Secretary of State, who promised them to send
the queen's answer the following day.

In spite of this promise, the French lords waited two days more: at last,
on the second day, towards evening, two English gentlemen sought out M.
de Fellievre in London, and, viva voce, without any letter to confirm
what they were charged to say, announced to him, on behalf of their
queen, that in reply to the letter that they had written her, and to do
justice to the desire they had shown to obtain for the condemned a
reprieve during which they would make known the decision to the King of
France, her Majesty would grant twelve days. As this was Elizabeth's last
word, and it was useless to lose time in pressing her further, M. de
Genlis was immediately despatched to his Majesty the King of France, to
whom, besides the long despatch of M. de Chateauneuf and de Bellievre
which he was charged to remit, he was to say 'viva voce' what he had seen
and heard relative to the affairs of Queen Mary during the whole time he
had been in England.

Henry III responded immediately with a letter containing fresh
instructions for MM. de Chateauneuf and de Bellievre; but in spite of all
the haste M. de Genlis could make, he did not reach London till the
fourteenth day--that is to say, forty-eight hours after the expiration of
the delay granted; nevertheless, as the sentence had not yet been put
into execution, MM. de Bellievre and de Chateauneuf set out at once for
Greenwich Castle, some miles from London, where the queen was keeping
Christmas, to beg her to grant them an audience, in which they could
transmit to her Majesty their king's reply; but they could obtain nothing
for four or five days; however, as they were not disheartened, and
returned unceasingly to the charge, January 6th, MM. de Bellievre and de
Chateauneuf were at last sent for by the queen.

As on the first occasion, they were introduced with all the ceremonial in
use at that time, and found Elizabeth in an audience-chamber. The
ambassadors approached her, greeted her, and M. de Bellievre began to
address to her with respect, but at the same time with firmness, his
master's remonstrances. Elizabeth listened to them with an impatient
air, fidgeting in her seat; then at last, unable to control herself, she
burst out, rising and growing red with anger--

"M. de Bellievre," said she, "are you really charged by the king, my
brother, to speak to me in such a way?"