She was, moreover, induced to consent to the publication of this document; and thus armed the astute Jesuit returned to Court, where he received the acknowledgments of De Luynes, coupled with renewed promises of favour and support.

This was enough to excite a less astute and imaginative man than Worlington Dodds.

Parma, who was even an abler diplomatist than soldier,that is, he was the most accomplished liar in an age that was made up of falsehood,had so completely gulled the astute Elizabeth that she was living in the fools' paradise; and so little did she and most of her counsellors expect invasion, that a single Spanish regiment of infantry might, had it then been landed, have driven the whole organized force of England from Sheerness to Bristol.