Nevertheless the King felt a pang of doubt lest affairs, after all, might not be going on so swimmingly; so he dipped his pen in the inkstand again, and observed with much pathos, "But if this hope must be given up, you must take the Isle of Walcheren: something must be done to console me." And on the 15th September he was still no wiser.

"This business of the Armada leaves me no repose," he said; "I can think of nothing else.

I don't content myself with what I have written, but write again and again, although in great want of light.

I hear that the Armada has sunk and captured many English ships, and is refitting in a Scotch pert.

If this is in the territory, of Lord Huntley, I hope he will stir up the Catholics of that country." And so, in letter after letter, Philip clung to the delusion that Alexander could yet, cross to England, and that the Armada might sail up the Thames.