"Now you speak reason," replied Count Aremberg; "but yet I will tell you that it will be more satisfactory to me and to my master, if the lady herself make the engagement. In a word, as these are your proposals and not mine, if you can gain me the assurance under the lady's own hand, guaranteed by yourselves, that she, when Queen of England, will grant full toleration to the Catholic faith, will sign a lasting peace between England and Spain, and be guided by the sovereign I represent in her choice of a husband, the matter may go forward: if not, I must pause." "It shall be done," said George Brooke, and Lord Cobham echoed the same words. "But," continued the former, "are you ready to give us assurance that if we do, our request is granted? "Nay," replied the ambassador, "I cannot give a definite promise. That must depend upon the King himself." "Then this is all foolery," said Lord Cobham. "The opportunity will be lost sending between London and Madrid." "You know right well, my Lord," replied Count Aremberg, "that I was not sent to England on this matter, and consequently I have no instructions." He saw a cloud come over the brow of George Brooke, the bolder and less cautious negotiator of the two, and added a few words to soften the disappointment which was evidently felt, and to give such hopes as might prevent the conspiracy from being abandoned in despair. "I can but speak my own individual opinion," continued Count Aremberg, "but, such as it is, you shall have it frankly." "Frankly?" cried George Brooke, with a bitter laugh. "Yes, on my life," answered the ambassador; "and it is, that there cannot be the slightest doubt his Majesty the King will at once consent to supply the money you require, if you give him the assurances which I have pointed out. Nay, more," he added, in a quiet tone, "should need be, he will, I, feel very sure, furnish you with a body of soldiers sufficient to take the field at once." "No, no," cried George Brooke, "no Spanish soldiers in England, noble Count. The people have not yet forgot some late passages, in which the Spanish soldiers and the English were less friendly than is pleasant. They did nothing, it is true, but cut each other's throats; but still that does not cement amity." "They need not be Spanish soldiers," said Count Aremberg, in reply; "they may be from Flanders." "Still they will be the troops of a foreign sovereign," answered Lord Cobham. "Not if you raise and pay them yourselves," said Count Aremberg, always bearing in view the strong inclination of the Spanish crown to regain a hold upon England.