Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/217

 1573] THE MASSACRE OF ST BARTHOLOMEW. 197 waiting to see what Elizabeth intended to do there was nothing to lead any one to suppose that the Castle would not follow the example. The noblemen were possessed with a belief, which Maitland had everywhere impressed upon them, that Elizabeth would grow weary of keeping Mary Stuart, and would, sooner or later, reinstate her. If they were again to be her subjects, their interest recommended them to adhere to her faction, to be friends with her friends, and to intrigue with the Spaniards and the French. If, on the other hand, this was not to be if Elizabeth herself could be depended on, and the King was to be maintained they were themselves tired of the struggle, and they were beginning to see that if the Queen of England was true to herself, there was now little chance of a success- ful Catholic revolution. The recognition of James was the turning- point for which they were waiting. No sooner was it proclaimed than signs appeared everywhere that there would be no more resistance. Many difficult questions remained to be settled. Argyle and Huntly were compromised in the murder of Darnley, Chatel- herault and his sons' in the deaths of Murray and Len- nox. Elizabeth advised that the prosecution in all these cases should be allowed to drop. Religion was a further difficulty. While the civil war lasted, the Mass had been restored in the north and west. Several noblemen were still openly Catholics, and Eglinton, in the Convention which was held for Morton's election to the Regency, ventured to speak for toleration. In this