Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 3.djvu/588

568 them—the dread of the English army which hung on the Borders like an undissolving cloud, and the small band of Protestants few in number, but with a resolute purpose, and with a strength which was steadily growing.

With this assistance they could still make head against the stream. An assembly was called at Edinburgh, in the first week in May, to consider Henry's message. One day the English party carried their point. A concession was determined on. The day after, the vote was recalled through the exertions of Beton and Mary of Guise; the lords resolved to send the Queen into France; and the Count de Montgomery was announced as coming over to take charge of her. But if they concluded thus, there would be an immediate invasion; and at last, deciding nothing, they thought they might gain time by keeping up appearances; Glencairn and Douglas were again sent to London, to ask for a modification of the conditions; the war between France and England was on the point of breaking out; if England was occupied with so powerful an antagonist, they would feel more safe in their resistance.