Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/235

 1 564. ] THE EM BASS Y OF DE SILVA. 215 proceedings in the establishment of their amity/ l In the delay of the Parliament the Queen of Scots had gained one step of vital moment ; she had next to obtain the consent of her own people to her marriage withjbrnley ; shehacl to strengthen the Lennox faction that it might be strong enough to support her against the Hamiltons, and when this was done to get the per- son of I)arnTeyTnto her hands. Lennox himself was distributing presents with lavish generosity in the Court at Holyrood. Melville when he returned to Scotland carried back with him Lady Margaret's choicest jewels to be bestowed to the best advantage. For the full completion of the scheme it was necessary to delude Elizabeth into the belief that Mary Stuart would give way about Leicester ; and having satisfied her that she really had nothing to fear from Darnley's visit to Edinburgh, to obtain leave of absence for him for three months to assist Lennox in the recovery of his property. When the father and son were once on Scottish soil she could then throw off the mask. The ambassador had employed his time well in England making friends for his mistress, and had car- ried back with him from London profuse promises of service; some from honourable men who looked to Mary Stuart's succession as a security fbr the peace of the country, some from the courtier race who desired to save their own fortunes should the revolution come. 1 Message sent by Randolph to the Queen of Scots, October 4 : Scotch MSS. Rolls House.