Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/110

 90 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 41. your Majesty's tears rather than hurt my conscience/ Soon after this conversation Randolph brought Eliza- beth's message. In his account of the interview he gives a noticeable sketch of Mary Stuart's personal habits. Active and energetic when occasion required, this all-accomplished woman abandoned herself to intervals of graceful self-indulgence. Without illness or imagin- ation of it she would lounge for days in bed, rising only at night for dancing or music ; and there she reclined with some light delicate French robe carelessly draped about her, surrounded by her ladies, her council, and her courtiers, receiving ambassadors and transacting business of State. It was in this condition that Ran- dolph found her. She affected the utmost cordiality; she listened graciously to his communication ; she pro- fessed herself grateful for Elizabeth's interest in her; she desired him to be cautious to whom he spoke, and re- ferred him for her answer to Maitland and Murray. But with all her address she could not conceal from him that more was intended than she allowed to appear. Her want of interest in the Austrian marriage was evident, and Randolph himself feared ' she might be more Spanish than Imperial.' * A month later John Knox had discovered the secret and made haste to tell Cecil what was impending. It was no Austrian prince on whom Mary's eyes were fixed. The King of Spain had con- sented to give her his son. The Queen of France offered 1 Randolph to Cecil, September 4 : Scotch MSS. Eolls Souse.