Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/83

 1572-]. THE DUKE OF NORFOLK. 63 On the first discovery of the Ridolfi conspiracy, Elizabeth yielded as usual to an impulse of good sense. She wrote to Mar to say that the late practices for setting on fire both the realms having by God's good- ness been brought to light, he should have no further cause to doubt her intentions ; she would assist him in bringing all Scotland to the obedience of the King ; and she had empowered Hunsdon to treat with him on the course to be pursued. 1 Mar at once moved from Stirling to Leith to pre- pare to besiege the Castle. Hunsdon and Drury sent word to Maitland that further resistance was useless. Their mistress intended to interfere at last to real pur- pose ; and if they refused to surrender, ' there was force imminent upon them utterly for their extermination/ 2 The Castle party were well supplied with money and provisions. They had no fear of the Regent, and the Gordons in the North had just gained what passed at the time for a considerable success. In two skirmishes Adam Gordon had cut up and destroyed the whole clan of Forbes. Lady Forbes shut herself up with her children and servants in Towie Castle. Adam Gordon came under the walls, broke an opening through them with pick and crowbar, and flung in blazing faggots of brushwood. The children, choking with * the reek/ sprang over the battlements, were caught on pikes, and tossed back into the flames. Mother, family, household, 1 Elizabeth to the Earl of Mar, I 2 Drury to Maitlaud, October 6 : October 2 : MSS. Scotland. MSS. Scotland.