Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/285

 1582.] THE JESUITS IN SCOTLAND. 269 Thus the stars in their courses were fighting for Elizabeth, even the successes of Spain turning for the moment to England's advantage. Some slight exertion was now all that was needed for the Protestants to re- cover their ascendency in Scotland. The Earl of Angus had offered to expel Lennox at the beginning of the summer, if the Queen would express her approval openly, but he had required money, and Elizabeth was half frightened and half unwilling to spend. Walsing- ham tried to drag her into some straight road of policy, but with indifferent effect. 'All remedies,' he com- plained to Sir Henry Cobham, ' are rejected and found unpleasant that bring any charge with them Provid- ence is esteemed prodigality ; Necessity is here presid- ent of the council.' l A ciphered letter from James to the Queen of Scots being intercepted however and read by Walsingham's secretary, there appeared so clear in- dications of intended mischief of some kind, 2 that Eliza- beth had been induced, as has been seen, to send Angus a few thousand pounds, and to give him other promises which encouraged him to proceed. After the affair in Edinburgh, the Assembly had determined, as Holt fore- told, to strike at Lennox boldly, and excommunicate him. Seton, Maxwell, and a party of the Kers at- tempted to seize and carry off sonie of the leading ministers, but they missed their mark. It was dis- 1 "Walsingham to Cobham, June 17, 1582: MSS. France. 2 Letter endorsed in the hand of Philips, Walsingham's confidential secretary, from the Scotch King, in cipher, May 28, 1582: MSS. MAKY QUEEK OF SCOTS.