“Before the Queen came back I went to visit
the Marchioness of Northampton, and when I was taking my leave she said she had
something important to say to me which she must defer to another day, and in
consequence of the return here of the Queen I did not go again for six or seven
days, when on the l5th instant I sent to ask after the Marchioness'
indisposition, and to ask her if I could visit her that afternoon. She sent to
say that she should be delighted, and I went by water to Westminster, where she
lives, and there found the Queen, who had gone over from St. James' to dine
with her almost alone and was there when I had sent word, as I afterwards found
out. They played me this trick between them and kept the secret until I was in
the Queen's presence, and then laughed greatly at it. I was there until almost
night, the Marchioness on her couch and the Queen near her. What passed were
mostly tales told by the Queen and ordinary conversation, into which she was
constantly slipping some slight allusions to marriage. I told her she was wrong
to keep the world in suspense and ought to decide. She laughed and said she had
something to say to me about our business, and on her return at nightfall to
St. James' through the park she went on foot, although she had a carriage
waiting and took me part of the way with her. On the way she said that a fool
who was about there had advised her never to marry a German, as they were bad
men. She spoke about nothing else and made me turn back, so that I might return
by water, as I had come.”
Diego Guzman De Silva to the Duchess of Parma. 23 Sept. 1564.
Calendar of Spanish Letters, I. 382.
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