Far from seeking immediate vengeance, however, Philip’s own perplexity was such, in the face of this new dilemma, that he contemplated a step which up to that time he had always repudiated with scorn. Writing to Mendoza in May, 1582, he orders him to endeavour to exacerbate Elizabeth’s jealousy of the French in Flanders for the purpose of enlisting her aid as a mediator between his rebellious subjects and himself. Orange had just been dangerously wounded by a Spanish agent,[242] and it may have appeared to Philip that the moment was a favourable one to bring about some settlement which, at all events, might save his sovereignty. “It will be well,” he writes, “for you to discover whether it is possible for the Queen herself to intervene for the purpose of reconciling me with my subjects.” He is not very sanguine, he says, of such an intermediary; “and she is much more likely to continue her usual arts to incense my subjects against me, but it is worth trying”; and to show how urgent was Philip’s need of a peaceful settlement, he sent the large sum of 40,000 crowns to Mendoza to bribe Elizabeth’s ministers to propose her mediation.[243] The presence of Alençon in Flanders as sovereign, even under her own auspices, made Elizabeth anxious to learn at first hand what the Spaniards thought of this new provocation, and a hint was sent to Mendoza that she would receive him again with Philip’s Portuguese envoy, who had come to announce his accession to the Crown. She was, during the interview, very emphatic as to her perfect neutrality with regard to Portugal, “just,” says Mendoza, “as if it were true, instead of an evident lie.” Mendoza interposed by saying that no doubt that was her intention, but there were, at that moment, perhaps unknown to her, several ships being fitted and armed in the Thames for Don Antonio. What did he mean? Elizabeth asked, and the ambassador gave her full particulars. Up to this point Elizabeth had been polite, but when she found that no complaint was made about Alençon, she plucked up courage, and Hatton, a special enemy of Mendoza’s, who was behind him, seems to have made some sign to the Queen, for her tone suddenly changed. “This is no time to deal with that matter,” she cried angrily, and Mendoza retired more wrathful than ever, and more determined to work his revenge.