Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 3.djvu/582

562 she can, to have the Cardinal at liberty; by whom, being as good a Frenchman as she is a Frenchwoman, she might the rather compass her intent.' From Arran the perplexed minister went again to the Queen, who assured him positively that, since his last visit, the Regent had avowed to her openly his intention of keeping her daughter for his son. He had told her that 'he would rather die than deliver the child into the hands of the King of England; but he would give good words and make fair weather till better opportunity.' Whatever he promised, neither he nor the lords would accomplish any one real step towards a union of the kingdoms. For herself, she again said, that she feared for her life, and she wished herself in England.

Her eagerness had carried her a little too far. If she wished to be in England, Sadler suggested that there would be no great difficulty in an escape. She would be received with the child with open arms, and would earn his master's gratitude for ever. She turned the subject to the praises of Beton. If Beton had been free, she said, there would have been no difficulty. The treaties would already have been arranged; and even but lately he had sent her word that, could he leave St Andrew's, he would go to London, and with