Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/383

I57I-J THE RIDOLFI CONSPIRACY. 369 that all was but abuse and dalliance/ and Bucldiurst would oblige her deeply if he would tell her the truth. Buckhtirst answered that as she had spoken freely to him he would meet her with equal openness. The Queen his mistress desired, above all things in the world, that France and England should be drawn to- gether. As to the marriage, she had anticipated that some such question might be asked him, and she had directed him to say, ' that for the benefit of her realm and contentation of her people she had finally and fully resolved to marry, and to match with the progeny of a prince out of her own realm/ ' Could she be sure of this/ the Queen-mother an- swered, ' and if it was meant indeed and not only in words, France and England might be the two most fortunate kingdoms in the world ; ' the honour of the French Crown would be hurt if Elizabeth was insin- cere, but she would believe it was not so ; and she went on to ask whether she might entertain hopes for her son. ' His commission/ Buckhurst replied, did March, not allow him to answer this question, but ' the Duke being so worthy a prince/ and the benefits to be expected from such an alliance, to both the realms, being so evident, he thought, as a private individual, that if an ambassador was sent over to propose in proper form, he might be sure of a favourable reception. There was no occasion however for the Duke ' to hazard his honour ; ' he would himself report the Queen-mother's words on his return, and he would inform her on all points, VOL. ix. 24