Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 5.djvu/548

528 might return to attendance upon her: but their coming was premature; she was still treated as a prisoner, and they were ordered off in the Queen's name.

On her arrival at Hampton Court, however, the Princess felt that she had recovered her freedom. She was received by Lord William Howard. The courtiers hurried to her with their congratulations, and Howard dared and provoked the resentment of the King and Queen by making them kneel and kiss her hand. Mary could not bring herself at first to endure an interview. The Bishop of Winchester came to her on the Queen's behalf, to repeat the advice which had been given to her at Woodstock, and to promise pardon if she would ask for it.

Elizabeth had been resolute when she was alone and friendless, she was not more yielding now. She repeated that she had committed no offence, and therefore required no forgiveness; she had rather lie in prison all her life, than confess when there was nothing to be confessed.

The answer was carried to Mary, and the day after the Bishop came again. 'The Queen marvelled,' he said, 'that she would so stoutly stand to her innocence;' if she called herself innocent, she implied that she had