Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/111

 I563-] THE ENGLISH A T If A VRE. her the hand of Charles the Ninth. She would take Don Carlos if Philip kept his word. If Don Carlos failed her she would take the French King. The majority of her council had consented to what would be their own destruction, and ' the greater part would before long draw the better after them.' The Queen of Eng- land would be amused with smooth answers ; but the mask would soon be laid aside. There was still hope of the constancy of the Earl of Murray. But if Murray followed the rest ' the rage of the storm would overthrow the force of the strongest ' ' all through the inordinate affection of her that was born to be a plague to the realm. 5 'Thus,' Knox concluded, 'you have the plainness of my troubled heart ; use it as ye will answer to God and as ye tender the commonwealth ; the Eternal assist you with His Spirit.' 1 In the midst of these encompassing perils Elizabeth bore herself bravely. The death- rate in London at the end of December was still two hundred a week ; the country was smarting under the disaster at Havre ; the French difficulty was likely to lead to a general war 2 in which Spain would take part ; and Mary Stuart married to a Catholic prince formed the October. December. 1 Knox to Cecil, October 5 : Scotch MSS. A postscript adds ' The Inch between Leitli and King- horn is left void. What strange fowl shall first alight there God knoweth.' 2 ' By many intelligences here, I see none other but war to ensue be- tween us and the French King ere it be long. God send grace that King Philip's subjects be not also our enemies, for we suspect as much.' Francis Chaloner to Sir Thomas Chaloner, December 18 : Spanish MSS. Rolls House.