I578-] THE ALENCON MARRIAGE. 483 not the slightest intention of entangling herself further than she was obliged. 1 Mendoza one day calling on her, she asked him why he came to Court so seldom. He said he had supposed that she was so pleasantly occupied preparing for her marriage, that she would not care to hear of anything else. She answered sharply, that an old woman such as she was had something else to do than think of marrying. The talk of it had effected her purpose, and had cleared the Provinces of the French. 2 She was less at liberty however, than she had been, to indulge her own. humours. The French were sus- picious after their past experience. Alencon did not mean to be made ridiculous, and not perhaps antici- pating a favourable effect from his appearance, wished the Queen to bind herself before she set eyes upon him. Simier indeed confessed to Mauvissiere that the lovers would be better kept apart till there was no retreat for them. The interview would be but an obstruction, and might delay the entrance into the desired haven. 3 M. Simier understood Elizabeth better before all was over, and must have smiled at the recollection of his 1 'Her Majesty was not at all como ella era bueno tratar de casarse; willing that Simier should come, considering he is sent to conclude all things; which she liketh nothing till she had seen him that she would agree withal. I find her Majesty still with a meaning in the matter, howheit not so earnest as before.' Sir Edward Stafford to Burghley, October 27 : MURDIN. , que me aseguraha que las esperan<jas que hahia dado de poderse effectuar cl suyo con M. de Alen<jon le hahian hecho salir de los Estados ; lo qual hahia deseado por no verlos en manos de franQeses.' Descifrada de Don Bernardino, 1578-9 ; MSS. Siman- cas. 3 Simier to Mauvissiere, Novera- Replicome que por una vie] a her 3 : MSS. France
