Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/539

I57I.J THE RIDOLF1 CONSPIRACY. 525 Berwick, and an expeditionary force was organized and put in marching order for the reduction of Edinburgh Castle. 1 So obviously necessary, if Elizabeth's throne was to be preserved, was the reduction of Scotland under the Regent's authority, that Mary Stuart's party were un- able to believe that decisive measures could be longer postponed. Lord Seton flew to Paris to entreat assist- ance. It was at the moment when the Queen-mother was most sanguine about the English marriage, and the application was especially unwelcome. Seton said that he hoped that in the midst of her new schemes she would not forget her old friends. He reminded her of the many gallant Scots who ' had offered themselves for the country of France and had left their 'banes ' behind them there.' Catherine gave but cold answers. The Archbishop of Glasgow stood sadly by, but did not speak a word. ' Madam,' said the old lord passionately, ' I must speak two words to you, and pray you to receive them as coming out of a true French heart. Madam, since Charlemagne's time there was never sent from Scotland, by King, Queen, or nobility, a more honourable suit than is desired at the present by me ; and seeing that this vain opinion of the Queen of England's marriage is so had in conceit of you that ye heed not us who are invaded with fire and sword and our castles and houses demolished ; as I have shown you before, the nobility 1 Elizabeth to Sir William Drury, May 20 : JtfSS. Scotland.