1584-] EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 409 to him about her relations with Philip, and her desire to be on more cordial terms with so old a friend. But the Queen of Scots and the priests drew de Guaras, like his predecessors, into the charmed circle. He too, after a severe and protracted imprisonment, was desired to leave the country and never to return. War would then have followed but for the great revolt of the Low Countries, which tempted the am- bition of France and united the circle of the Provinces against the Spanish Sovereign. The breach with Eng- land was indefinitely postponed ; a fifth representative, a soldier, a statesman, and a Mendoza, was despatched to renew the efforts at conciliation. An English Min- ister was allowed with impunity to insult the Grand In- quisitor at Madrid. The services of the volunteers in Flanders, and the piracies of Drake, were condoned or passed over with a faint complaint. The honour of Spain was trailed in the dirt to prevent Elizabeth from allying herself with the Prince of Orange. It was all in vain. The Jesuits had stirred the fire till the flame could no longer be kept under. Once more a grand combination had grown up for invasion, rebellion, and regicide : once more a Spanish ambassador was at its heart. Mendoza foresaw what must follow when he heard that Throgmorton had confessed. On the 9th of January, the Queen sent to tell him that the council were in session at the house of Lord Chan- cellor Bromley, and had a message of importance to deliver to him. Mendoza replied that when Ministers of State desired to speak with ambassadors, their usual
