Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 11.djvu/525

 1584-] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 509 of Spain forbids me. Only put your trust in God, and do not offend the Catholic Powers. Be patient a little longer ; leave crooked ways, and be frank and true.' ' It was a desperate position for the Queen of Scots. The Catholic sovereigns were not deeply penetrated with the sense of her wrongs or particularly eager to avenge them. She was an important piece in the Catholic game ; but they had neither respect for her person nor enthusiasm in her cause. If, in despair at their slackness, she endeavoured to make terms with her gaoler, she offended their bigotry, and gave them a pre- text for their indifference ; while she knew well that it was only from the fear of their interference that Eliza- beth consented to treat with her, and that, if the fear was removed, she would remain a prisoner for life. The whole world seemed falling away from her France, Spain, the Pope, the Jesuits, even her own son. It was open to her then, and always, to end her troubles by a resolution to obtain and deserve Elizabeth's real con- fidence ; but for this she would have had to part for ever with her passionately cherished hope of vengeance. 2 Or, again, she might have become an object of passionate Catholic interest had she taken the position of a martyr, dared Elizabeth openly to do her worst upon her, and refused to acknowledge directly or indirectly a sovereign excommunicated by the Pope. But either of the courses required more virtue than 1 Martelli to the Queen of Scots, I 2 Lindsay after all escaped James's December, 1584, condensed: MSS. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. intentions towards him, being pro- tected by the Eavl of Crawford.