Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/205

 1572.] THE MASSACRE OF ST BARTHOLOMEW. 185 special reason for uneasiness in the position of the young King ; for Lady Mar, in whose hands he was left at Stirling, was a fanatical Catholic, and was supposed to desire to send him either to France or Spain. On this matter decision could not be postponed. Burghley was absent from London when the news ar- rived ; but he impressed on Leicester, who was left with the Queen, the paramount importance of maintaining Morton ; and Leicester, who had at last abandoned his own hopes, and was working cordially at Burghley 's side, used all his powers of persuasion. His task was not an easy one, for the household influences which he himself had once fostered were against him now in greater strength than ever and at their old work in Mary Stuart's interests. 1 He urged his mistress to be quick and prompt ' in showing herself careful for the maintenance of her friends, whose ruin would be her own danger.' He told her that she must send men and money to the Borders, and give Lord Hunsdon discre- tionary powers to act in Scotland. ' Her Majesty talked to and fro what was best ' but as usual could not re- solve. Leicester reminded her ' of her long cold deal- ing, which had caused many to fall away from the cause when, with hope of maintenance, they would have clung to it.' That cause, without assistance, now ' would quail/ The Queen asked what Burghley thought. 1 ' I have learnt here since you went that this House is no less in- fected, and grown unto such persons as you would never suspect. You see how far this Canker has passed. I fear a fistula irrecoverable.' Lei- cester to Burghley, November 4: MUKDIN.