ns,
to negotiating conditions of a mutual alliance between France and
England.[**] Henry with reluctance submitted to hold conferences on
that subject; but no sooner had Walsingham begun to settle the terms
of alliance, than he was informed, that the queen, foreseeing hostility
with Spain to be the result of this confederacy, had declared that
she would prefer the marriage with the war, before the war without the
marriage.[***] The French court, pleased with this change of resolution,
broke off the conferences concerning the league, and opened a
negotiation for the marriage.[****] But matters had not long proceeded
in this train, before the queen again declared for the league in
preference to the marriage, and ordered Walsingham to renew the
conferences for that purpose. Before he had leisure to bring this point
to maturity, he was interrupted by a new change of resolution; [v] and
not only the court of France, but Walsingham himself, Burleigh, and all
the wisest ministers of Elizabeth, were in amazement doubtful where this
contest between inclination and reason love and ambition, would at last
terminate.[v*] [17]

* Digges, p. 387, 396, 408, 426.

** Digges, p. 352.

*** Digges, p. 375, 391.

**** Digges, p. 392.

v Digges, p. 408.

v* See note Q, at the end of the volume.

In the course of this affair, Elizabeth felt another variety of
intentions, from a new contest between her reason and her ruling
passions. The duke of Anjou expected from her some money, by which
he might be enabled to open the campaign in Flanders; and the queen
herself, though her frugality made her long reluctant, was sensible
that this supply was necessary, and she was at last induced, after much
hesitation, to comply with his request.[*] She sent him a present of a
hundred thousand crowns; by which, joined to his own demesnes, and the
assistance of his brother and the queen dowager, he levied an army, and
took the field against the prince of Parma. He was successful in raising
the siege of Cambray; and being chosen by the states governor of the
Netherlands, he put his army into winter quarters, and came over to
England, in order to prosecute his suit to the queen. The reception
which he met with made him expect entire success, and gave him hopes
that Elizabeth had surmounted all scruples, and was finally determined
to make choice of him for her husband. In the midst of the pomp which
attended the ann