Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/455

 1584.3 EXPULSION OF MENDOZA. 439 Earls, believing themselves deserted, escaped before his arrival to Berwick. The Edinburgh ministers followed, conscious of the vengeance that they had provoked, and knowing that it would not now be delayed. Ferny- hurst, seeing the English motionless, rose with the Kers and the Humes ; and Tantallon, which was to have been the rallying-point of the confederates, was changed into Lindsay's prison. Stirling Castle sur- rendered, the captain and his chief followers wore hanged, and the only effect of the conspiracy had been to raise James at last into an absolute sovereign. There was a moan of indignation, heard, May. alas ! too often in Scotland, at Elizabeth's broken faith. Sir Robert Bowes, the instrument of their deception, did not seek to conceal his own shame and humiliation. He covered his mistress in public by taking the blame upon himself; but to Walsingham he did not scruple to describe the Earls ' as foully abused and betrayed.' ' The friends of the Queen of Scots, on the other hand, sent her exulting word of her son's victory, bidding her remind him that now was the time for vengeance, and tell Guise to be quick in coming. 2 The Queen of Scots needed no urging. Morton, Gowrie, and Lindsay, were the three noblemen who had extorted the abdication at Lochleven. Morton was gone, and Gowrie's turn had come. There was no ques- 1 Bowes to "Walsingham, April 27 May 7 : MSS. Scotland. 2 'Madame, escrivefc au Roy d'avoir souvenance du temps passe. Oultre, Madame, advertissez M. de Guise d'accelerer toutes choses pour mettre fin a ces normite"s.' to the Queen of Scots, April 26 May 6. Decipher: MSS. MARY