Philip had only, recommended delay in event of a general peace in France--Huguenots, Royalists, Leaguers, and all.

This had not happened.

"Therefore, I trust," said the King; "that you--perceiving that this is not contingency number three which was to justify a pause--will have already executed the enterprise, and fulfilled my desire.

I am confident that the deed is done, and that God has blessed it, and I am now expecting the news from hour to hour." But Alexander had not yet arrived in England.

The preliminaries for the conquest caused him more perplexity than the whole enterprise occasioned to Philip.