Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 3.djvu/585

1543.] embassy to whom it had been entrusted had at length reached London. Their message was delivered, and bore immediate and substantial fruit. The King was sick of lying and tired of evasion. The imagination that, on the union of the two nations, an independent Regent would be permitted to rule in Scotland by hereditary right was too absurd to be entertained. The ambassadors were desired to return instantly, with an intimation that, if the negotiations were to be renewed, it must be through persons whose insignificance should not in itself be an affront. The Scots were alarmed, for Henry was reported to be serious. Lord Glencairn and Sir George Douglas hurried to London, and in three weeks returned with the King's own counter-propositions—so reasonable, he said himself, that, if they were not accepted, 'he would follow his purpose by force;'—so moderate, says Knox, 'that all that loved quietness were contented therewith.' He relinquished his demand for the immediate delivery of the young Queen. She might remain in her own country till she was ten years old; in the mean time, as pledges for the fulfilment of the contract, three Scottish earls and three bishops or barons must reside in the English Court. Their places might be changed half-yearly, but the number should be kept complete. For the Government, the Earl of Arran might remain in office during the minority, provided his conduct continued satisfactory, and provided the whole or a portion of the council