envoys, and make himself useful to them. This personage, being "of good
quality and a member of Parliament," gave them much useful information,
assuring them that there was a strong feeling in England in favour of the
Netherlands, and that the matter had been very vigorously taken up in the
national legislature. 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. Very
soon afterwards the envoys were summoned to her presence, and allowed to
recommend the affairs of the Provinces to her consideration. She
lamented the situation of their country, and in a few words expressed her
inclination to render assistance, provided the States would manifest full