1 5 7I-] THE RIDOLFI CONSPIRACY. 385 which was paid her to persist in her disobedience ; she had already been the principal mover of all the con- tinental disturbances, and she would go on as she had begun as long as she remained on the throne. Don Juan attempted excuses, but the Pope cut him short. It was positively necessary to do something, he said, and if the King of Spain would lend assistance in deposing Elizabeth, and could place some English Ca- tholic nobleman on the throne in her place, 1 he believed that he could secure the consent and co-operation of the French. The French, Don Juan replied, had been unable, or, to speak more truly, had not been willing, to root out heresy from among themselves. It was not likely that they would undertake the reduction of England. They would make fair promises, entangle his master in a war with the Queen, and then declare in her favour. 2 If this was so, the Pope said, the King of Spain might at least recall his ambassador, and prevent inter- course between his subjects and the English. Don Juan could merely indicate that this would be to break prematurely with Elizabeth, and would do more harm than good. 3 Nothing can show more clearly than this conversa- tion the intense unwillingness of Philip to have an English quarrel forced upon him. Don Juan closed 1 ' Un Rey Catolico natural del raismo Reyno.' Not the Queen of Scots therefore. 2 ' Prometerian grandes cosas V. Mag d contra la Reyna y despues se juntarian con ella.' 3 Don Juan de Cuniga & st Mag d , January 27 : MSS. Simancas. para hacer declarar su Santidad y a vol. ix. 25
