Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/201

 1572.] THE MASS A CRE OF ST BAR THOL OME W. 1 8 1 While the Scots were in this humour the second commission of the English envoy was no less welcome than the first. The Queen of Scots was the representa- tive of the creed which had caused the perpetration of the massacre, and which blessed it afterwards by the mouth of the Pope. The Queen of Scots by her crimes had caused Scotland's misery. To her had been traced the murder of 'the Regent Murray. To bring her to justice at last to try, convict, and execute her, would be one act in vindication of honour and right amidst the stream of universal iniquity. The Earl of Mar, after consulting Morton, told Killigrew that ' it would be the best, and as it were the only, salve for the cure of the great sores of the commonwealth.' There might be difficulties in the details, but with goodwill on both sides they would be overcome ; and as Elizabeth had given Killigrew his instructions with her own mouth, and as there could be no doubt that Burghley would do his best to hold her to her purpose, there was hope at last of a good end to the grand problem. Mary Stuart being dead, all other questions would perish with her. Grange would surrender the Castle. Burghley might revive his friendship with Mai t land, and Scotland could be gratified at last by the recognition of James as Eliza- beth's successor. England must of course stand con- spicuously forward, and take its share in the responsi- bility of the execution ; and nothing would then be wanting for the complete pacification of Scotland, and the union of the whole island in a common policy. The Earl of Mar's confidence that Elizabeth would commit herself to more than the surrender was not