The Queen.—"It would else be ingratitude on your part."
Helmichius.—"But the King of Spain will never keep any promise about the religion."
The Queen.—"He will never come so far: he does nothing but make a noise on all sides. Item, I don't think he has much confidence in himself."
De Dieu.—"Your Majesty has many enemies. The Lord hath hitherto supported you, and we pray that he may continue to uphold your Majesty."
The Queen.—"I have indeed many enemies; but I make no great account of them. Is there anything else you seek?"
De Dieu.—"There is a special point: it concerns our, or rather your
Majesty's, city of Flushing. We hope that Russelius—(so he called Sir
William Russell)—may be continued in its government, although he wishes
his discharge."
"Aha!" said the Queen, laughing and rising from her seat, "I shall not answer you; I shall call some one else to answer you."
She then summoned Russell's sister, Lady Warwick.
"If you could speak French," said the Queen to that gentlewoman, "I should bid you reply to these gentlemen, who beg that your brother may remain in Flushing, so very agreeable has he made himself to them."
The Queen was pleased to hear this good opinion of Sir William, and this request that he might continue to be governor of Flushing, because he had uniformly supported the Leicester party, and was at that moment in high quarrel with Count Maurice and the leading members of the States.