Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/291

1 5 70. ] EXCOMMUNICA TION OF ELIZABE TH. 277 or she would lose both parties. He could but pray God to put in her heart to choose the more honourable course.' l Meanwhile the council in London had been discuss- ing conditions with the Bishop of Ross, on which the Queen of Scots' restoration could be effected. The Bishop was still deep in conspiracies, at work incess- antly with Don Gueraa and the Catholic leaders; but while there were hopes of obtaining his mistress's re- lease from Elizabeth, he had never ceased to urge her yielding humour, and spared neither oaths nor protest- ations to persuade her that she might make the venture with safety. Elizabeth however did not mean to trust to promises. She insisted, as before, on the ratification of the treaty of Leith ; she insisted that neither French aor Spanish troops should be invited over to Scotland ; she required substantial securities that the Queen of Scots should not escape from her engagements on the plea that they were extorted from, her under restraint. The Prince should be brought up in England. Argyle and Fleming should accompany him and reside at the English Court as hostages. An English garrison should hold Dumbarton Castle, and Dunbar, perhaps, as well as Hume and Fastcastle ; and the Queen of Scots must undertake for the surrender of the Earls of Westmore- land and Northumberland. 2 These terms, with the guarantee of France for their 1 Sussex to Elizabeth, May i: I 1570: MSS. MARY QUEEN OP MSS Scotland. j SCOTS, Rolls Home. 2 Notes in Cecil's hand, May, '