Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/400

380 RF.IGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 44. the subject again to her, but bearing tbat ber interces- sion bitberto in favour of the lords had been not only fruitless, but tbat at the approaching Parliament the Queen of Scots meant to proceed to the worst extremities, she would no longer forbear to speak ber mind/ The Earl of Murray had risen in arms against her only to prevent her marriage and for the defence of his own life from the malice which was borne him ; he was the truest and best of her subjects; and therefore, she said, 'in the interest of both the realms we are moved to require you to have that regard that the Earl and others with him may be received to your grace, or if not that you will forbear proceeding against him and the others until some better opportunity move you to show them favour.' In this mood Elizabeth was not inclined to bear with patience the dismissal of her ambas- sador. Proudly and coldly she replied to Mary Stuart's announcement of what she had done, ' that inasmuch as the Queen of Scots bad been pleased to break the usages of nations and pass this affront upon her, as this was the fruit of the long forbearance which she had herself shown, she would be better advised before she entered into any further correspondence ; she would take such measures as might be necessary for her own defence ; and for the Earl of Murray, to deal plainly, she could not, for her honour and for the opinion she had of his sincerity and loyalty towards his country, but see him relieved in England, whereof she thought it convenient to advertise 1 Elizabeth to the Queen of Scots, February 24 : Scotch M88. Rolh House.