That assembly had been strongly encouraging her Majesty boldly to assume the protectorate, and had manifested a willingness to assist her with the needful.

"And if," said he, "one subsidy should not be enough, she shall have three, four, five, or six, or as much as may be necessary." The same day, the envoys had an interview with Lord Treasurer Burghley, who held the same language as Walsingham and Leicester had done.

"The Queen, to his knowledge," he said, "was quite ready to assume the protectorate; but it was necessary that it should be formally offered, with the necessary guarantees, and that without further loss of time." On the 22nd March, according to agreement, Ortel and De Gryze went to the court at Greenwich.

While waiting there for the Queen, who had ridden out into the country, they had more conversation with Walsingham, whom they found even more energetically disposed in their favour than ever, and who assured them that her Majesty was quite ready to assume the protectorate so soon as offered.

"Within a month," he said, "after the signing of a treaty, the troops would be on the spot, under command of such a personage of quality and religion as would be highly satisfactory." While they were talking, the Queen rode into the court-yard, accompanied by the Earl of Leicester and other gentlemen.