Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/346

332 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 54. introduced into Scotland at the first opportunity. As yet however, and conscious of her own sincerity, Elizabeth was able to half-persuade herself that Mary Stuart was weary of conspiracy, and was willing to re- main quiet till she herself was .'dead. The Queen of Scots' protestations were incessant. She for ever said that she had some mysterious secret which she was longing to communicate, but would only reveal in person. Elizabeth did not believe her, yet did not utterly disbelieve her ; and a sufficient proof that she was serious about the treaty she appointed no less a person than Cecil to go to Chatsworth to negotiate with her. To the smooth letter she replied in a tone which even Maitland could not accuse of insincerity : ' You have caused a rebellion in my realm/ she said, ' and you have aimed at my own life. You will say you did not mean these things. Madarn, I would I could think so poorly of your understanding and could lay your fault on your want of knowledge. You say that you desire to heal the wounds which you have caused. "Well, I send two of my council to you who know all my mind. I am not influenced by the menaces of France. Those who would work upon me through my fears know but little of my character. You tell me you have some mystery which you wish to make known to me. If it be so, you must write it. You are aware that I do not think it well that you and I should meet. I trust you will give me cause to forget your faults. God knows how welcome that would be to me.' 1 1 Elizabeth to the Queen of Scots, September 1 7. Abridged : TEULET, Tol. ii. p. 406.