Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/218

I 9 8 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 58. Norton matter however compromise was less possible. Morton said that the Catholics must submit to the common con- sent of the realm, and Eglinton would not press his desire. ' He accompanied the Regent to the sermon,' and took pains to express his horror at the effects of Catholic fanaticism in France. 1 A conference was afterwards held at Perth, at the lodgings ' of the English ambassador, who offered to mediate under Elizabeth's direction. Huntly and Ar- broath were present, and at length, when they and the other professing Catholics agreed to swear ' to withstand all those who should go about to put in execution the bloody decrees of the Council of Trent/ the Regent consented to accept the oath as a substitute for con- formity, and they were left to use whatever service they pleased in their own houses. These and other points of difference being thus dis- posed of, the heads of all the families who had hitherto held out for the Queen, acknowledged their allegiance to her son and accepted Morton as lawful Regent. The French had no longer a party among them. England was at last accepted as Scotland's natural and only ally. On the 25th of February the work of pacification was finally completed, and Edinburgh Castle remained the sole spot in her forfeited dominions where Mary Stuart's authority was maintained. 1 * When the Act for the League with England was read many gave their voices to it, and especially the Lords Eglinton and Serapell, with open detestation of the French butchers and late horrible murders, saying they would willingly venture their lives, lands, and goods again fit such.' Advices out of Scotland, February 10 : MSS. Scotland.