had even been urged by the Pope to send a special ambassador to her for this purpose--as if the persuasions of the wretched Valois were likely to be effective with Elizabeth Tudor--and Burghley had, by means of spies in Rome, who pretended to be Catholics, given out intimations that the Queen was seriously contemplating such a step.

Thus the Pope, notwithstanding Cardinal Allan, the famous million, and the bull, was thought by Mendoza to be growing lukewarm in the Spanish cause, and to be urging upon the "Englishwoman" the propriety of converting herself, even at the late hour of May, 1588.
But Philip, for years, had been maturing his scheme, while reposing entire confidence--beyond his own cabinet doors--upon none but Alexander Farnese; and the Duke--alone of all men--was perfectly certain that the invasion would, this year, be attempted.
The captain-general of the expedition was the Marquis of Santa Cruz, a man of considerable naval experience, and of constant good fortune, who, in thirty years, had never sustained a defeat.

He had however shown no desire to risk one when Drake had offered him the memorable challenge in the year 1587, and perhaps his reputation of the invincible captain had been obtained by the same adroitness on previous occasions.

He was no friend to Alexander Farnese, and was much disgusted when informed of the share allotted to the Duke in the great undertaking.

A course of reproach and perpetual reprimand was the treatment to which he was, in consequence, subjected, which was not more conducive to the advancement of the expedition than it was to the health of the captain-general.