“You speak confidently, my lord,” returned Do Noailles gravely. “I trust nothing has occurred to warrant what you say.”
“M. De Noailles,” said the bishop significantly, “look to yourself. The party of France is on the decline. That of Spain is on the ascendant.”
“What mean you, my lord?” cried the ambassador, eagerly. “Renard has not succeeded in his aim? Mary has not affianced herself to the Prince of Spain?”
“I know nothing positively,” replied Gardiner evasively. “I merely throw out the hint. It is for you to follow it up.”
“This were a blow, indeed!” cried De Noailles. “But subtle as Renard is, and with all the advantage he has gained, I will yet countermine him.”
“You shall not want my aid,” returned Gardiner, “provided you hatch no treason against the queen. And that you may the better know how to act, learn that her majesty is affianced to Philip of Spain.”
“Curses on the crafty Spaniard!” exclaimed De Noailles, furiously. “But I will yet defeat him.”
“The princess Elizabeth will be liberated to-day, and sent with a strong guard to Ashbridge,” remarked Gardiner. “Courtenay will be kept a prisoner in the Tower.”
“We must find means to liberate him,” rejoined the ambassador.
“In this you must proceed without my aid,” said the bishop. “If it be possible to reinstate the earl in Mary’s favour, it shall be done. But I can take no part in aiding his flight.”