It will soon be perceived that the part enacted by Burghley, Hatton, Croft, and other counsellors, and even by the Queen herself, was not a model of ingenuousness towards the absent Leicester and the States-General.  The gentlemen sent at various times to and from the Earl and her Majesty’s government; Davison, Shirley, Vavasor, Heneage, and the rest—­had all expressed themselves in the strongest language concerning the good faith and the friendliness of the Lord-Treasurer and the Vice-Chamberlain, but they were not so well informed as they would have been, had they seen the private letters of Parma to Philip ii.

Walsingham, although kept in the dark as much as it was possible, discovered from time to time the mysterious practices of his political antagonists, and warned the Queen of the danger and dishonour she was bringing upon herself.  Elizabeth, when thus boldly charged, equivocated and stormed alternately.  She authorized Walsingham to communicate the secrets—­which he had thus surprised—­to the States-General, and then denied having given any such orders.

In truth, Walsingham was only entrusted with such portions of the negotiations as he had been able, by his own astuteness, to divine; and as he was very much a friend to the Provinces and to Leicester, he never failed to keep them instructed, to the best of his ability.  It must be confessed, however, that the shuffling and paltering among great men and little men, at that period, forms a somewhat painful subject of contemplation at the present day.

Grafigni having some merchandise to convey from Antwerp to London, went early in the year to the Prince of Parma, at Brussels, in order to procure a passport.  They entered into some conversation upon the misery of the country, and particularly concerning the troubles to which the unfortunate merchants had been exposed.  Alexander expressed much sympathy with the commercial community, and a strong desire that the ancient friendship between his master and the Queen of England might be restored.  Grafigni assured the Prince—­as the result of his own observation in England—­that the Queen participated in those pacific sentiments:  “You are going to England,” replied the Prince, “and you may say to the ministers of her Majesty, that, after my allegiance to my King, I am most favourably and affectionately inclined towards her.  If it pleases them that I, as Alexander Farnese, should attempt to bring about an accord, and if our commissioners could be assured of a hearing in England, I would take care that everything should be conducted with due regard to the honour and reputation of her Majesty.”

Grafigni then asked for a written letter of credence.  “That cannot be,” replied Alexander; “but if you return to me I shall believe your report, and then a proper person can be sent, with authority from the King to treat with her Majesty.”