Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/54

40 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 52. Prince of Navarre, who succeeded to it ; but, as a Prince of the blood royal, he was of an importance far beyond his personal merit ; and at the first news, his cause was supposed to have perished with him. The effect upon Elizabeth was to decide her to keep the peace with France at all events and hazards. She did not know that Philip had stood her friend so conveniently. The French refugees in London petitioned her in the name of God not to desert their brethren but she sent in haste for La Mothe Fenelon, and told him that the privateers should have no more access to her harbours ; her own subjects should no longer serve among them, and the French prizes which they had taken should be restored. She wished, she said, that there was less violence in France ; she wished the Government would not perse- cute the Huguenots ; she wished the Huguenots would be less scrupulous about attending mass ; but for herself, she would meddle no more between them. La Mothe was courteous, and received her advances graciously. To France, at least, he was assured that she would give no more cause of complaint. 1 Towards Mary Stuart also, professedly out of deference to the wishes of the Queen-mother, she showed some increase of cordiality. From the gloom of Tutbury she allowed her to be removed to Wingfield, a pleasant country- house belonging to Lord Shrewsbury. She wrote letters to her unnecessarily warm, to which the Queen of Scots replied in a corresponding tone. The two Queens were 1 La Mothe Fenelon au Roy, April 12, April 20 Dvpechcs, vol. i.