CHAP XXI with similar assumptions. 1571 July Even the Cardinal Spinosa preferred national to ultramontane interests, and the Nuncio's proposal was politely waived on the plea that it would needlessly complicate the problem; that it would defeat the plan of the Duke of Norfolk, and be a signal for a general league between all the heretics in the world. The justification, it was soon concluded, should and could be only the Queen of Scots' claim on the succession to the Crown, which the Queen of England unjustly refused to recognise. Even the wrongs of Spain were better passed over in silence. The King should appear in the matter solely as the champion of a Princess who was injured and oppressed. This being determined, the next point was the time and manner of the invasion. Should Spain begin? or should the English Catholics begin? The English Catholics wished to see Spain commit itself before they ventured another insurrection. The Duke of Alva had insisted that they should first do something for themselves, and the Spanish Cabinet were of the same opinion. Ridolfi, who was admitted to the Council, reproduced the scheme which he had laid before the Duke? but the Duke's letter was at hand, to be considered by the side of it; and it was thought certain that any such step as Ridolfi proposed would bring France into the field. The Nuncio said that the Pope would undertake for France; but the Pope's temperament was more sanguine than judicious; and thus the question narrowed down to the ground taken by Alva. The key of the situation was Elizabeth's life. The Catholics would make nothing of an insurrection while the Queen was alive and at large. She must either be killed or cap 1 'Peligroso hacer la empresa en lo de adelante vendria otro Papa que nombre de su Santidad, porque para quisiese mezclarse con nosotros.' July tured. That, in Alva's opinion, should be the reply CHAP XXI which Ridolfi should carry back. The English must do 1571 that part of the business themselves; as soon as it was accomplished, the Spanish army should be instantly set in motion. There were There was Yet it was felt that if they waited for this consummation they might wait long or for ever. traitors in plenty about the Queen. Leicester's accursed crew in the household, and Arundel and Crofts upon the Council; but either they were faint-hearted, or the English nature did not understand the art of murder. Spaniards and Italians could do it; Scots could do it excellently; but the English, from some cause or other, were wanting in the necessary qualities. Ridolfi, when questioned on the possibilities that way, gave unsatisfactory answers. There was not one among Norfolk's friends about the Queen who could be thoroughly relied upon for any desperate enterprise. There were seven or eight noblemen, however, he said, any one of whom would make the necessary opportunities, if some one else could be found to do the thing, and all would be ready to come forward afterwards. He named Windsor, Lumley, Southampton, St. John, Arundel, Worcester, Montagueespecially and peculiarly Montague; and Chapin Vitelli, who had come from the Netherlands for this particular purpose, now presented himself to help the Council in their dilemma. They would give him credit, he said, for being disinterested, for he was going to risk his own life. He, if the matter was trusted to him, would take or kill the Queen. He knew England. He was acquainted with the noblemen whom Ridolfi mentioned. It could not be done in London; but at the 1 El Duque no tiene persona de los que estan con la Reyna en quien hacer fundamento.' 1571 July CHAP XXI end of the summer Elizabeth would go on progress. She travelled inadequately guarded. She stayed at different country houses. He would go over with ten or fifteen companions; and when she was-as she need not fail to be the guest of Montague, or some other of the set, he would obtain access to her person, perhaps pretending some commission such as he had been sent upon before, and then and there cut the knot of all difficulties. The Lords would have a force in readiness to support him. The Queen of Scots would be safe with Lord Shrewsbury: the Countess was a Catholic, and conducted that Queen's secret correspondence.2 The Catholics would then everywhere rise, Alva would cross the Channel, and the revolution would be over before the French had recovered from their first astonishment. The date of this notable conference agreed nearly with that of Cecil's saddest letter to Walsingham. Not without reason, Cecil believed that England's supreme hour of trial was drawing near, and but for the accident that the intended bridegroom was as reluctant as the bride, Elizabeth would have selected CHAP XXI that particular opportunity for insulting France, and adding another enemy to those who were already in league against her. The resolution of Philip's Council was immediately forwarded to Alva; and Ridolfi, according to the Queen of Scots' instructions, would have gone on to Portugal. But Philip was unwilling to extend further the circle of conspiracy. If the enterprise was to succeed at all, his own troops would be sufficient, and Ridolfi's headlong temper did not personally recommend him to confidence. He too was sent to Brussels to be at Alva's orders. He wrote enthusiastic letters to Norfolk, to Mary Stuart, and the Bishop of Ross, detailing his success, and forwarded them under cover to Don Guerau; but there was so much fear of a premature disturbance, that Alva ordered Don Guerau not to deliver them, forbade him to mention their arrival, or to open his lips upon the subject to any living person till further orders.1 The Catholic King meanwhile made such haste as he was able to fit out the Duke of Medina Celi, whom Chapin was to accompany.2 The power of Spain was still vast, but its movements were ponderous and slow. 1 Alva to Don Guerau, July 30.MSS. Simancas. 2 There seems to have been some uncertainty, after all, whether Philip did not withdraw his sanction of the murder. Writing on the 4th of August to Alva, he tells him simply to prepare to invade England, to assist the Catholics who were to rise in rebellion. Chapin, he says, was to command the expedition. ELIZ. IV. S Alva understood this to mean that Philip would carry out Ridolfi's original proposal. He referred the King to the objections which he had already laid before him, and insisted that no force should be sent to England till the Queen was in the hands of Norfolk and the Queen of Scots at liberty.-Précis de la Correspondance de Philip II. GACHARD, vol. ii. 1571 July 1571 August CHAP XXI The Duke of Feria died in August, and with him the most ardent in the matter of all the Council. Other matters too claimed attention. Don John of Austria was in the Mediterranean, getting ready for Lepanto. Too much time was already gone, and what remained of the summer was all too little for the work that was to be done. Don Guerau was growing restless and impatient. The English Council, he said, suspected much, although as yet they knew but little. If the blow could be struck quickly, all would go well. The Catholics were three to one, and were all prepared. If the summer went by, they might despond again; Scotland might be conquered, the Queen of Scots killed; and Lord Hertford or the little Prince of Scotland declared heir to the throne. Other factions were fast merging in the two great religious divisions, and the longer the delay, the stronger the Protestants would grow. Above all, there was no safety while such a man as Cecil was at the head of the Queen's Government. Tell his Majesty,' He Don Guerau wrote to Cayas, 'that Cecil is a fox cun- But Cecil could be rolled in the dust if only Philip would be prompt, while the fire was burning and the iron hot. On the night of the 4th of August, the Londoners were in the streets gazing at a huge arch in the sky, which seemed to span the city, and filled their hearts with terrors of approaching change. The Catholic Don Guerau scoffed at the cowardly superstition of the enlightened and Protestant English, but |