r64 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 64. that of France ; ' and it was likely that the realm of England in Parliament would consent to the charge rather than for want of aiding those countries with men and money see them fall to the Crown of France/ If she could bring herself to consent it would be her duty at once to communicate with Philip, and to tell him that her interference was intended only to preserve the Provinces for Spain. 'She would offend Mon- sieur, whom she might now have for a husband to her great advantage,' but ' she would be considering less her private gain than the public interest.' In return Philip must be pressed to concede ' liberty of conscience, on which point the whole difficulty stood,' and without which no peace was possible. 1 It was an open and honourable course, and Burgh- ley's recommendation so far prevailed that Mendoza was sent for. The Queen said in the presence of the council that she had learnt that his master had entered into a confederation to dispossess her of her crown. A party from Spain had already landed in Ireland, and a second expedition was in preparation at Ferrol. Her own support of the insurgents in Flanders was neither a precedent nor an excuse. She had refused the offer of the States to attach themselves to England, and had interfered only to prevent their occupation by France. She had no wish to quarrel, and if attacked would know how to defend herself. But the state of Flanders ad- mitted of no delay. She knew for certain that the 1 Questions to be considered, July 10, 1580. In Burghley's hand : MSS. Holland
