“After my most hearty commendations to you, I have received your letters by this bearer, whereby I do perceive the King’s highness’s my most gracious father’s pleasure, touching my communication to the emperor’s ambassadors, when they shall come to visit the prince’s grace, my brother; which thing (although his grace’s pleasure except) I would have been very loath to have spoken of, considering myself a young maid, and very willing to continue that life, if his said majesty will permit the same; nevertheless, according to my duty, I shall fulfil all things contained in your letters, as well as my simple wit will serve me; and also write their whole answer unto you as soon as they shall depart. In the meanwhile, not forgetting the inestimable goodness of the King’s majesty towards me, in esteeming my bestowing more than I have or shall deserve, which can do nothing but (as I am most bounden) in all things obey his grace’s commandments to the end of my life; as knoweth God, whose help I shall continually ask to perform my said duty, and thus commit you to his holy keeping. “From Portgore, this Saint Bartholomew’s day at after dinner. “Your assured loving friend during my life, “MARYE.”[222] She then at once communicated Cromwell’s letter to the envoys, in order that they might be prepared with an answer, when they came to see her. Chapuys, on behalf of both, thus described the whole matter to the Emperor, six days later:—