Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/384

 368 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 66. ulterior objects, it will be well to have our own people on the spot to share the game.' * Scotland, it will be seen, was now dropped out of the scheme of invasion. Scotland, and with it the interests of Scotland's young King, who had been intriguing with the other side, and as long as he was unconverted, was to be excluded from further advancement. But James and the politicians with whom he was surrounded had no intention of being thus thrust into the shade. The English succession was the loadstar on which James's eyes were permanently fixed. He had hoped to secure it for himself over his mother's head ; he had offended her and the Catholics, and he had as yet obtained no- thing. He might still wait humbly, and so at last hope to propitiate Elizabeth. On the other hand Guise might come over, and the Catholics might rise and make a revolution, and his chances would be forfeited for ever. Could he but have commanded the second sight of his countrymen, how easy would have been his course ! If he turned Catholic prematurely, and after all the Protestants won the victory, he was lost equally that way. It was a tremendous position, but the scoundrels who surrounded him were equal to it. The first step was to beg his mother's pardon for having coquetted with Elizabeth. Colonel Stewart had brought his orders with him to London, and instantly that he and Colville were dismissed, with their requests refused, he found means of communicating with Sheffield, and Mendoza to Philip, July 6 16. Abridged: MSR. Simancas.