Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/24

 8 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 63. information came in more and more unfavourable. Sir Robert Bowes wrote from Berwick that lie had learnt on certain authority that Morton's death was determined on. He was to be tried and executed on a charge, which Elizabeth's conduct about the Casket letters had alone made possible, of being privy to the murder at Kirk o' field. It was true that Bothwell had consulted Morton. It was true that Morton had concealed his knowledge that the murder was intended. By weaving together fact and falsehood, it was possible to give colour to the pretence of the Queen of Scots that the crime had been Morton's own, and at once vindicate her innocence before a still suspicious world, and revenge her on the most dangerous of her enemies. Errington reported that he could do no- thing; and increasingly alarmed, Elizabeth sent Sir Hobert Bowes after him as a more competent person on the same errand, to warn the King that there was a plot to carry him abroad, to bribe the Captains of Edinburgh and Dumbarton Castles to hold them for England, to terrify the ministers, to do anything and to promise anything ' to abase the credit ' of the formid- able stranger. Between herself and d'Aubigny letters passed of false politeness. D'Aubigny assured her that he was the most harmless of men, and in her answers she pretended to be satisfied ; but she bade Bowes speak plainly in secret to Morton, warn him of his peril, and concert measures with him which would best meet the emergency. 1 Instructions to Sir Hubert Bowes, April 17, 19; MSS. Scotland.