Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/299

1565-] THE EMBASSY OF DE SILVA. 279 The English Government should avoid differences with France and Spain ; and then ' either a breach of the matter would follow or else a good composition.' l Randolph, after Throgmorton's departure, continued at his post, and sent up accounts from week to week of the position of parties and of the progress of the crisis. He described Darnley as a conceited, arrogant, intol- erable fool ; he spoke of Murray as true to his mistress in the highest sense, and still labouring to save her from herself of Maitland ' as more honest than many looked for ' of Argyle and the Lords of the old Congregation as true to their principles, and working all together of the Earl of Ruthven alone ' as to his shame stirring coals to bring the marriage to effect/ ' Of the poor Queen herself he knew not what to say, 'so pitiful her condition seemed to him ; ' ' he had esteemed her before/ he said, ' so worthy, so wise, so honourable in all her doings ; ' and he ' found her so altered with affection towards Lord Darnley that she had brought her honour in question, her estate in hazard, her country torn to pieces/ 2 Affection it might be, or else, as Maitland thought, ' the foundation of the matter might have been anger and despite : ' so far from loving the weak idiot whom she had chosen, she was more likely already shuddering at the sacrifice which her ambition and revenge had de- manded ; Lord Darnley had few qualities to command either love or respect from Mary Stuart. 1 Throgmorton to Cecil and Leicester, May 21 : Scotch MSS. Rolls House. '* Randolph to Leicester and Cecil, May 21 : Scotch MSS. Rolls House