Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/153

1569.] THE RISING OF THE NORTH. December, and down the town with full powers to practise. ' Shrewsbury continued cold, distant, and resentful ; ' and Huntingdon, who found the contents of his most secret despatches were in some way carried to her ears, could not but feel a wish that she was safe in Notting- ham Castle rather than in an open town, especially as he knew that dangerous influences were at work upon Elizabeth and doubted how far she would resist them. 2 He had good reason for uneasiness. Nor- folk, more than ever uneasy at his imprison- ment, when the revolution seemed likely to be accom- plished and the fruits of it snatched from himself, plied Elizabeth with passionate entreaties for forgiveness. He professed a horror at ' the enterprise of the rebel Earls/ For himself, he swore that he ' had never dealt with them, either for religion, title, or succession/ and that he had never entertained an undutiful thought towards herself. 3 At the same time he was endeavour- ing with vows and promises to re-establish himself in the affections of Mary Stuart, and she in turn was be- witching him with assurances of eternal fidelity, declar- ing herself 4 to be waiting only for his directions, care- 1 Huntingdon to Cecil. 2 ' I am sorry to understand such objections as you write be many times made against good counsels given by true-affected councillors. God amend that fault wheresoever it be, or else our country and sovereign shall taste, I fear, of sharper storms from the North, or perhaps from some other coast, than doth yet blow. God give all councillors such hearts as in their counsels they may un- feignedly in simplicity and truth seek his glory, our country's weal, and Sovereign's surety. December 9 : ' MSS. Hat/bid. 3 Norfolk to Elizabeth, Decem- ber 5 : Burghky Papers^ vol. i. 4 ' When you say to me you will be to me as I v r ill, then you shall