Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 5.djvu/549

1555.] been 'unjustly imprisoned;' if she expected her liberty 'she must tell another tale.'

But the causes which had compelled the Court to send for her, forbade them equally to persist in an impotent persecution. They had desired only to tempt her into admissions which they could plead in justification for past or future severities. They had failed, and they gave way.

A week later, on an evening in the beginning of July, Lady Clarence, Mary's favourite attendant, brought a message, that the Queen was expecting her sister in her room. The Princess was led across the garden in the dusk, and introduced by a back staircase into the royal apartments. Almost two years had elapsed since the sisters had last met, when Mary hid the hatred which was in her heart behind a veil of kindness. There was no improvement of feeling, but the necessity of circumstances compelled the form of reconciliation.

Elizabeth dropped on her knees. 'God preserve your Majesty,' she said; 'you will find me as true a subject to your Majesty as any; whatever has been reported of me, you shall not find it otherwise.'

'You will not confess,' the Queen said; 'you stand to your truth: I pray God it may so fall out.'

'If it does not,' said Elizabeth, 'I desire neither favour nor pardon at your hands.'

'Well,' Mary bitterly answered, 'you persevere in your truth stiffly; belike you will not confess that you have been wrongly punished?'