Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/373

I57Q.J THE RIDOLFI CONSPIRACY. 359 to this person, ' at first secretly, and then in process of time more boldly, they would direct their devotions, and so have less regard of the continuance and pre- servation of her Majesty.' Conduct of this kind was to be looked for from loyal subjects, and besides these were the crowd of persons who already for one reason or another ' grudged and misliked the continuance of her Majesty's life, and were therefore ready always to assist in any innovation by practice, rebellion, or in- vasion/ The Queen would thus become gradually conscious that she was disliked and neglected. She would have no one on whom she could rely, and ' finding no remedy to recover the affections of her people for lack of mar- riage and children, she would have a perpetual torment in life.' ' On the other hand, if she married, though she might have no children, there would long be the possibility of children. The people could still cling to the hope that the crown would remain in the line of King Henry VIII. / 'and the curious and dangerous question of the succession would in the minds of quiet subjects be as it were buried a happy funeral for all England.' Dis- loyal noblemen would cease to speculate on the Queen of Scots 5 marriage; discontented rebels and Papists would forbear to practise with foreign princes; and ' should God give to the realm the blessing of issue of the Queen's Majesty, the joy would be so great to good subjects and the grief so great to the evil, that hei Majesty would see as it were a new life in the hearts