Parma had also been informed of the Queen's strong desire that he should be employed as negotiator, on account of her great confidence in his sincerity.

They had expressed much satisfaction on hearing that he was about to send an agent to England, and had protested themselves rejoiced at Drake's triumphs, only because of their hope that a peace with Spain would thus be rendered the easier of accomplishment.

They were much afraid, according to Grafigni, of Philip's power, and dreaded a Spanish invasion of their country, in conjunction with the Pope.

They were now extremely anxious that Parma--as he himself informed the King--should send an agent of good capacity, in great secrecy, to England.
The Comptroller had said that he had pledged himself to such a result, and if it failed, that they would probably cut off his head.

The four counsellors were excessively solicitous for the negotiation, and each of them was expecting to gain favour by advancing it to the best of his ability.
Parma hinted at the possibility that all these professions were false, and that the English were only intending to keep the King from the contemplated invasion.