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576 case the Queen was taken to France, 'and otherwise disposed of in marriage,' he would advance the English Border to Edinburgh forthwith, and by force of title and superiority make the Earl of Arran King of Scotland beyond the Forth. 'Twice,' he warned those who had called themselves his friends, 'they had been deluded by the Cardinal—once in his own deliverance, and, again, in the seizure of the Queen; let them beware a third time.' It was wise and honourable to avoid bloodshed, as long as peace was possible; but he would have them understand that if Beton was to rule in Scotland, the nation to the last man should smart for it; and, as a final resource, he recommended a secret and resolute effort to seize Stirling and the insolent churchman in person.

Henry understood at last the disposition of the people. His chief mistake was in overrating the power of the Douglases and his other supporters, and in believing that at the last extremity they would take part with him against their country. Sadler, replying to this letter, assured him that five thousand men would be worse than useless. If he intended to conquer Scotland, he must trust for the work to English hands. If his so-called friends kept their promises, they had not a tenant, they had not a follower who, on the first news that an English army had passed the Border, would not hasten to the Cardinal. But in fact, he trusted neither them nor the Regent. They were