As soon as this became evident the English Queen grew cool about the Council, much to Dudley’s annoyance, who still tried to keep her up to the mark. She sent Cecil to the Spanish Bishop, asking him to move Philip to write to her recommending her to marry an Englishman, hinting at the same time that this was in Philip’s interest, as she might otherwise marry a foreign enemy of his. Cecil said that her idea was to bring Philip’s letter before a committee of peers, prelates, and commoners, all friends of Dudley, and they would recommend the marriage. This was all very well, said the Bishop, but how about Lord Robert’s religious pledges? But Cecil had no intention, nor probably had the Queen, of carrying out any such promises; and this new proposal was really intended to upset Dudley’s plan. So, gradually, a barrier of limitations and conditions was introduced by Cecil, which made the affair impossible. The Anglican and Lutheran bishops were to sit in the Council; certain points of doctrine must be settled beforehand; the Pope or his legate might be President but not ruler of the Council; and the place of meeting must be mutually agreed upon by all the princes. Dudley alternately fumed and sulked at this diversion by his opponents, and tried desperately to keep the Spanish Bishop in hand. It had, of course, been evident to the latter at once that Philip’s attitude as shown in his instructions was impossible. “Elizabeth,” he said, “had not entered into the business so humbly and submissively that he could lay down the law to her and insist upon her pledging herself in writing”; besides, it would be most unwise to give the “heretics” the opportunity, if they were playing false, of proving that they had got Philip to bargain for his political help in return for religious concessions. [Illustration: ROBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEICESTER FROM A PAINTING AT THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY]