Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/223

IS73-] THE MASSACRE OF ST BARTHOLOMEW. 203 was held by Grange ' did lie dare offend them of Stirling/ He had offered Grange priories, bishoprics, estates, any- thing which he might desire in exchange for the Castle, but to no purpose he insisted upon holding it. Killigrew suggested that if Grange would give se- curities for his good behaviour, he might be allowed his way. ' With this/ wrote the ambassador, * the Regent was amazed ; ' ' he said that though he would be so mad yet the nobility would never grant thereunto ; it was a thing not to be thought of, and he desired me not to ask it again ; he was already in danger for yielding so far ; to allow more would cause so much offence as would endanger the King's estate and his own life.' 1 Once more Errington was sent to the Castle ; every security was offered short of leaving Grange in posses- sion of it, 'everything/ said Killigrew, ' that I could ask for my own father if he were there ; ' but evasive answers came back which meant nothing, while Erring- ton observed that the garrison had been busy on the forti- fications ; ' the place was stronger by ten lasts of powder and a hundred men than when he had seen it before ; the men looking ill from overworking and watching/ but all seemingly resolute, with provisions to last till Michaelmas, and expecting help from France before Midsummer. Conscious at last that words would serve her no more, that if she faltered longer she would lose every friend that she possessed in Scotland Killigrew to Burghley, March 27 : MSS. Scotland,