Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/351

 1583-] THE JESUITS IN SCOTLAND. 33$ had gained nothing, and was to remain where she was. She was informed that her offers were satisfactory, but that her son raised difficulties, which made her libera- tion for the present impossible, and that all her conces- sions had been in vain. After a few months' pause, the question was again brought up for consideration, but only again to be dismissed, and dismissed on grounds which, if valid at all, would be fatal against any treaty whatever. It was remembered that the Queen of Scots might disclaim the engagements into which she might enter, as she had disclaimed her abdication at Lochleven, on the plea that they had been forced from her in prison. She could escape with greater ease out of England, and her greater freedom if she was to continue there, would give life and hope to the disloyal Catholics. It would be an admission moreover that she had been detained hitherto unjustly. It would seem like an acquittal of the charge which had so far clouded her fame, and would otherwise be a confession of weakness. 'Her Majesty,' by releasing her, 'would give the world to un- derstand that the Queen of Scots was not in her opinion culpable of the murder of her husband otherwise she would not show her that favour.' To require a ratification of the Treaty of T. . J October. JLeith was a quasi acknowledgment that the Queen doubted her own title. If the treaty proceeded a clause would have to be inserted ' that her Majesty did not clear her of the murder, but left her to God and her conscience, and the trial of Scotland, being a matter committed where her Majesty had no jurisdiction ; ' and