Much to his surprise and gratification, Parma found that the peace-party were not inclined to change their views in consequence of the triumphs of Drake.  He soon informed the King that—­according to Champagny and Bodman—­the Lord Treasurer, the Comptroller, Lord Cobham, and Sir Christopher Hatton, were more pacific than they had ever been.  These four were represented by Grafigni as secretly in league against Leicester and Walsingham, and very anxious to bring about a reconciliation between the crowns of England and Spain.  The merchant-diplomatist, according to his own statement, was expressly sent by Queen Elizabeth to the prince of Parma, although without letter of credence or signed instructions, but with the full knowledge and approbation of the four counsellors just mentioned.  He assured Alexander that the Queen and the majority of her council felt a strong desire for peace, and had manifested much repentance for what had been done.  They had explained their proceedings by the necessity of self-defence.  They had avowed—­in case they should be made sure of peace—­that they should, not with reluctance and against their will, but, on the contrary, with the utmost alacrity and at once, surrender to the King of Spain the territory which they possessed in the Netherlands, and especially the fortified towns in Holland and Zeeland; for the English object had never been conquest.  Parma had also been informed of the Queen’s strong desire that he should be employed as negotiator, on account of her great confidence in his sincerity.  They had expressed much satisfaction on hearing that he was about to send an agent to England, and had protested themselves rejoiced at Drake’s triumphs, only because of their hope that a peace with Spain would thus be rendered the easier of accomplishment.  They were much afraid, according to Grafigni, of Philip’s power, and dreaded a Spanish invasion of their country, in conjunction with the Pope.  They were now extremely anxious that Parma—­as he himself informed the King—­should send an agent of good capacity, in great secrecy, to England.

The Comptroller had said that he had pledged himself to such a result, and if it failed, that they would probably cut off his head.  The four counsellors were excessively solicitous for the negotiation, and each of them was expecting to gain favour by advancing it to the best of his ability.

Parma hinted at the possibility that all these professions were false, and that the English were only intending to keep the King from the contemplated invasion.  At the same time he drew Philip’s attention to the fact that Burghley and his party had most evidently been doing everything in their power to obstruct Leicester’s progress in the Netherlands and to keep back the reinforcements of troops and money which he so much required.