He  might  see  this  for  himself,  as  he  was  a  witness  of  the  dissatis-
faction of  the  English  people  at  her  attachment  to  him,  which
attachment  she  hoped  he  did  not  wish  to  be  fatal  to  her.  For  this
reason  she  would  be  very  glad  if  he  would  allow  her  to  defer  the
matter,  and  there  was  nothing  in  her  country  she  would  refuse  him,
and  she  would  be  very  much  more  attached  to  him  as  a  friend  even
than  if  he  were  her  husband.
She  sent  Walsingham  with  this  message,  to  which  Alen^on
replied  with  much  gentleness  that  all  he  had  said  and  done  was  to
please  the  Queen,  whose  death  not  only  did  he  not  desire,  but  he
would  venture  his  own  life  to  give  her  pleasure,  as  he  had  often
done,  and  indeed  was  doing  now,  to  save  her  from  annoyance,  by
pressing  his  suit  with  less  ardour  at  her  request.
In  the  meanwhile  Secretary  Pinart  arrived,  after  having  been
delayed  some  days  in  Calais  by  bad  weather.  The  French  say  that
he  comes  with  a  mission  from  the  King  to  agree  to  all  that  is
demanded  of  him,  upon  condition  of  his  brother's  marriage  ;  although
I  find  it  difficult  to  think  that  the  King  of  France  can  grant  their
terms,  as  I  am  told  that  not  only  does  the  Queen  demand  that  he
8liall  break  with  your  Majesty,  but  that  Calais  shall  be  restored,


230  Spanish  state  papers.
1581.  "  ~

and  an  alliance  entered  into  against  the  Queen  of  Scotland  and
her  son.
