1581. j VOYAGR OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 211
tain that Alen<?on would resent the idle impertinence to
which he had been subjected.
Leicester and Hatton clamoured against the restitu-
tion. Walsingham, bitterly as his worst fears were
confirmed, still advised that the treasure should be used
to subsidize Casimir and the King of Navarre, and to
help the struggling States. But Burghley adhered to
his opinion, and Sussex, Bromley, and Clinton stood by
him. They had disapproved from the first of Drake's
expedition. They considered that if not at once yet by
instalments everything ought to be given back; and
Mendoza saw with delight that the most powerful Eng-
lish statesman was moving on the course which he had
himself recommended to Philip, while he was spared the
mortification of making the first advances. Burghley
went BO far as to feel his way with him, and hint his
wishes ; and Mendoza, with a slight suspicion that per-
haps he might be played off against the French, and
made use of to frighten Henry, yet admitted temperately
the pleasure with which he would regard a restored
alliance between Spain and England. 1
But how to shake off Alei^on ? The Queen had
brought him over, and now both with herself and the
council the first object was to rid the realm of him. It
was represented to him that his honour was suffering
through Parma's conquests, that the marriage at all
events could not take place immediately, and that his
presence was required at Antwerp. The Queen pro-
1 Mendoza to Philip, December 25, 1581 : MS8. Simancas,
