Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/353

1565.] THE DARNLEY MARRIAGE. 333 war. But the council, though consenting and advising a decided course, were still divided : Norfolk, Arundel, Winchester, Mason, and Pembroke were in favour in the main of the Queen of Scots' succession, and they regarded Calvinists and Calvinism with a most heartfelt and gen- uine detestation. Elizabeth in her heart resented the necessity of identifying herself with the party of John Knox, and her m^o^^ai<^^om_ day to day. After the resolution of the council on the 24th she spoke at length to the French ambassador in praise of Murray, who, if his sister could but have known it, she said, was her truest friend a noble, generous, and good man ; she was fully aware of the Queen of Scots' designs against her ; and when de Foix entreated her not to break the peace, she refused to give him any assurances, and she told him that if France assisted Mary Stuart she should receive it as an act of hostility against herself. 1 But her energy spent itself in words, or rather both the Queen and those advisers whom she most trusted, even Sir William Cecil himself, oscillated backwards into a decision that the risk of war was too great to be encountered. The example might be fatal : the Catholic powers might interfere in England ; the Romanists at home might mutiny ; while to move an army was ' three times more chargeable than it was wont to be, whereof the experience at Havre might serve for example.' 2 Two days after their first resolution therefore the council 1 Paul de Foix to the King of France, September 29 ; TEULET, vol. ii. 2 ' Causes that move me not to consent presently to war,' September 26. Note in Cecil's hand : Cotton. MSS. CALIG. B. 10.