Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/208

 1 88 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 58. King of Scotland. Grange and Maitland had recovered from their despondency as France began again to show them favour. Handsome sums came in to them from Paris, and more was promised ; and, well informed from the Palace at Westminster of Elizabeth's humours, they had cast aside their intention of surrender, and pre- sented as bold a front as ever. The civil war was about to recommence, with all its cost and uncertainty, and Morton was determined not to enter upon it on the old terms. Elizabeth was more interested than he was in maintaining the Xing. He at any time could make his own terms with the other party, and she was not any longer to reap the chief benefit, and pay nothing for it. The Queen felt the weight of Morton's argument, and her behaviour under it was eminently character- istic. She wrote to him expressing a sincere desire that he should take the Regency : she gave him in general terms the promise which he desired, and she empowered Killigrew to use the same language to the noblemen who were assembled for the election. She trusted that this would be enough, and she forbade Killigrew to commit her to anything more definite. The nobles had received words enough already, and knew what they were worth. Both they and Morton insisted on a distinct statement of the degree of help on which they might rely, saying at the same time that if Killigrew would not give it, the election would be postponed. The envoy knew what was expected of him, and did his duty like a loyal servant. He was to have appeared