Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/365

1570.] THE RIDOLF1 CONSPIRACY. 3 $i come to terms. Cecil was ready to soften violent ex- pressions. The Queen of Scots did not insist on her exceptions, which were introduced perhaps because they were in keeping with her character, and because too much readiness to make concessions might increase Cecil's suspicions. In manner he treated her with the respect due to a princess who might soon be his own sovereign ; while on her part, as Elizabeth foresaw, she exerted her utmost power of fascination to win and charm him. It was an encounter of wit in which each was trying to gain an advantage over the other. ' The Queen of Scots/ wrote the Bishop of October. Ross in a letter which fell afterwards into Cecil's hands, ' hath dealt with Mr Secretary in such sort that he hath promised to be her friend. He likes well of her nature. He promises to travail that she and the Queen of England shall speak together, and hath given his counsel how she should behave herself in that case to win the Queen of England's favour. He has spoken to me of the Queen of Scots' marriage by way of conference, seeming to persuade that she will marry with the Earl of Angus ; but I have declared plainly that she will never marry a Scottishman. He hath told me secretly he could like well of the Duke of Norfolk's marrying her, but now is no time to speak of it. He saith that the Queen of England fears that the Queen of Scots and Norfolk would wax arrogant in that case ; but yet he thinks that this surety that she makes to the Queen of England shall put away that fear and so the matter may be followed. I think he may be made to