England and France watched each other's movements in the direction of the provinces with intense jealousy.

The Protestant Queen was the natural ally of the struggling Reformers, but her despotic sentiments were averse to the fostering of rebellion against the Lord's anointed.

The thrifty Queen looked with alarm at the prospect of large subsidies which would undoubtedly be demanded of her.

The jealous Queen could as ill brook the presence of the French in the Netherlands as that of the Spaniards whom they were to expel.

She therefore embarrassed, as usual, the operations of the Prince by a course of stale political coquetry.