thenceforward disappears as one of the possible suitors for Elizabeth’s hand. [Illustration] CHAPTER VII Revival of the Alençon match--Dr. Dale’s interview with Catharine de Medici--Alençon’s letters to Elizabeth--Illness and death of Charles IX.--Imprisonment of Alençon--Huguenot plots and execution of La Mole and Coconas--Alençon kept in durance and the marriage negotiations discontinued. Dr. Valentine Dale had replaced Walsingham as English ambassador in France, and soon after the signing of the peace of Rochelle, he and his temporary colleague, Edmund Horsey, were summoned by Catharine and asked whether their mistress was willing to carry through the Alençon match, now that her condition with regard to peace had been fulfilled. Dale replied that if it were announced that peace had been effected through Alençon’s intervention their Queen would be willing to proceed in the matter. This was accepted, and it was arranged that, as the Queen of England intended to stay a week at Dover in the ensuing month of August, an opportunity for a meeting between her and the Prince might be found. The Queen-mother told Dale that Alençon had grown greatly during his absence at Rochelle, “and that his beard had grown, which helps much his imperfections.”[85] He had good hopes, too, that the young Prince would openly become a Protestant. When August came, however, Catharine began to cry off, and Dale thought she would not let her son come unless “some further word of comfort be given,” thinking of the “_honte_” if the affair fell through after all. As for the Prince, he was not only ready but eager to make the journey, and managed to convey as much to Dale, who thus describes him on August 2nd: “His pock-holes are thick but not great, as are seen in some men whose faces are little disfigured with them, if the visage and colour are otherwise liked. He was bashful and blushing at parting. His speech is not so fast as his brother’s, and he seems more advised. He is of 'statura mediocre.’”[86]