Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/259

1565'] THE EMBASSY OF DE SUVA. 239 She said she would sooner die than be a neglected wife, and yet, while conscious of its absurdity, she allowed the thought to rest before her. She admitted that her subjects desired her to marry. They would perhaps prefer an Englishman for her ; but she had no subject in England of adequate rank except the Earl of Arundel, and Arundel she could not endure. She could have loved the noble Earl of Leicester, but her subjects objected and she was bound to consult their wishes. So with a promise to consider the proposal she gra- ciously dismissed de Foix and proceeded to consult Cecil. The careful Cecil with methodical gravity paraded the obvious objections, the inequality of age, the danger, should the marriage prove fruitful, of the absorption of England into France, the risk of being involved in continental wars, and the innovations which might be attempted upon English liberty and English law. Elizabeth admitted the force of these considerations, but she would not regard them as decisive. De Foix suggested that the crown of England might be entailed on the second son or the second child ; and Catherine de Medici herself, excited by Elizabeth's uncertainty, became more pressing than ever, and made light of difficulties. She even tempted Cecil with splendid offers if he would recommend tjie French alliance and do her a pleasure ; but she had mistaken the temperament which she was addressing. Cecil answered like himself ' that he thought neither of how to gratify the Queen of