I  wrote  to  your  Majesty  on  the  28tl)  ultimo.  On  the  previous  day
the  Queen  had  sent  to  the  Fi'ench  ambassador  to  come  and  see  her,
as  she  had  received  three  dispatches  from  Stafford,  enclosing  letters
from  tlic  King  of  France,  his  mother,  and  Alonyon.  The  latter  told
her  that  he  was  making  ready  for  his  departure,  and  would  come
as  she  pleased,  either  with  or  without  a  company,  and  either  before
or  after  the  signing  of  the  capitulations.  He  said  he  was  very
sorry  they  had  cut  qflf'  the  hands  of  the  men  concerned  with  the
book,*  and  he  would  indeed  be  glad  if  he  could  remedy  it,  even  at
the  cost  of  two  fingers  of  his  own  hand ;  but  as  that  was  now
imposfible,  he  entreated  her  to  pardon  the  men  and  award  them
some  recompense,  so  that  they  might  understand  that  they  owed
their  lives  and  her  favour  to  his  intercession.  He  was  equally
grieved  to  learn  that  she  was  not  showing  so  much  favour  as
formerly  to  the  earl  of  Leicester ;  and  also  that  Simier  had  not
carried  out  his  (Alen(,'on's)  instructions  in  making  friends  with  the
Earl,  whom,  if  he  (Alengon)  came  to  England  he  would  regard  as  a
comrade  and  a  brother.  He  entreated  her  not  to  bear  ill-will  to
Leicester  and  the  other  councillors  who  had  opposed  the  match,  as
they  no  doubt  did  so,  as  they  thought,  in  her  interests.  He  said
he  had  now  bis  mother's  blessing  and  his  brother's  permission  for
the  marriage;  and  the  King's  letters  were  to  a  similar  effect,  adding,
however,  that  if  it  was  necessary  to  alter  any  of  the  conditions  they
(i.e.,  the  English)  who  had  drafted  them,  might  do  so.  This  greatly
gratified  the  Queen  and  she  loaded  the  ambassador  with  caresses.
