Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/219

1 5 73.] THE MASSACRE OF ST BARTHOLOMEW. 199 The fire was not extinguished however till the Castle was reduced ; and, unexpectedly, under various excuses, Maitland and Grange continued obstinate. Their pretended reason was the want of sufficient security for their own lives and estates ; but money coming from France to them was continually intercepted, and letters telling them that they should be relieved if they could hold out till summer. 1 Maitland was satisfied that the Castle could never be taken by the Scots; that, however Elizabeth might threaten, sh<^ would never really interfere, and that he was still safe in holding out. Illusion and obstinacy must have combined to blind his otherwise clear intelligence ; but it will be perceived that he really did see deeply into the Queen of Eng- land's character, and that it was not without reason that he built hopes upon her reluctance to extinguish the remains of Mary Stuart's party. Immediately after the general pacification, Morton sent to Grange to require him to sub- mit with the rest, and to trouble Scotland no further. Grange answered (or Maitland, for Grange was clay in his hands) that he would acknowledge the King, if he might keep the Castle ; and that he would bind himself to introduce no foreign troops, if Elizabeth would under- take that ' they should enjoy their lives, lands, rooms, offices, and honours/ ' and would give them money to pay their debts.' 2 1 Killigrew to Sir T. Smith, February 26 : MS8. Scotland. z Answer of Lidington and Grange, March 2 : MSS. Scotland.