At such moments his thoughts turned to dwell upon his secret marriage and its consequences; and it was in bitterness against himself, if not against his unfortunate Countess, that he ascribed to that hasty measure, adopted in the ardour of what he now called inconsiderate passion, at once the impossibility of placing his power on a solid basis, and the immediate prospect of its precipitate downfall.
"Men say," thus ran his thoughts, in these anxious and repentant moments, "that I might marry Elizabeth, and become King of England.

All things suggest this.

The match is carolled in ballads, while the rabble throw their caps up.

It has been touched upon in the schools--whispered in the presence-chamber--recommended from the pulpit--prayed for in the Calvinistic churches abroad--touched on by statists in the very council at home.

These bold insinuations have been rebutted by no rebuke, no resentment, no chiding, scarce even by the usual female protestation that she would live and die a virgin princess.