Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/523

 1584.] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 507 Catholics would lose their sole representative. It seems to have crossed Parma's mind too, as it had crossed Don John's, that he might become the Queen of Scots' husband and share the English throne with her. 1 But the party of action on the continent had com- plaints against herself as well as against James. Her readiness to treat with Elizabeth carried an impression that she was no saint after all. but more a politician than a true believer. A book was published, after Throgmorton's execution, showing that, in some way or other, secrets supposed to be known only to half a dozen of the leading conspirators had been revealed. The facility with which English prisoners confessed upon the rack, showed that they were made of bad material for successful traitors ; 2 and the Queen of Scots herself was suspected, if not of treachery, yet of extreme imprudence. 1 ' The Prince asked me whether you would ever marry again. I said I knew not your Majesty's particu- lar desire in the matter, but Catho- lics generally could be well contented if your Majesty was in your royal seat, svnd provided of such a husband as his Highness was, for that would make a hope that it should be bene- ficial to all Christendom. At that he smiled, and said he pretended to no such thing, but to do for your Majesty only for your good will. Yet adding he was not so mortified to the world, but if all parties were agreed he would accept such a pre- ferment with thankfulness.' Par- sons to the Queen ot Scots, Septem- ber 10, 1584: HISS. MAKY QUKKN OF SCOTS. . '* ' On ne traite pas volun tiers avcc Angloys encor qu'ilz soientgens do bien et fidelles, pour cc quo s'ilz sont attrapez ou dcscouvcrts comme fut Mylord Paget, ou s'ilz sont prins commc Throgmorton et aultrcs, par force de Gchennc, on leur faict dire plus qu'ilz ne scavent.' Letter from the J^-uit Martelli to the Queen of Scots. Deciphered by Walsingham's secretary Phillipps, and countersigned by Burghlej'i Shrewsbury, Wulsinglinm, Hunsdon, and Cobham: JAS'6'. Ibid.