Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/239

 1 564 J TtfE EMBASS Y OF DE SILVA. 219 secured and he should be himself maintained in the re- putation and authority which he deserved. ' He answered that the Queen had put it off so long that he had begun to fear she would never marry him at all. He professed himself very grateful for my offer, but of religion he said nothing. In fact he is too ill- informed in such matters to take a resolute part on either side unless when he has some other object to gain. 'I told him that the dependence of the Catholics was wholly on the Queen and himself. To him they attributed the preservation of the bishops and of the other prisoners ; and I said that by saving their lives he had gained the good-will of all Christian princes ibroad and of all the Catholics at home, who as he well knew were far more numerous than those of the new religion. The heretics notoriously hated both him and his mistress, and had not the Catholics been so strong would long ago have given them trouble ; the Queen could see what was. before her in the book on the succession, which after all it appeared she was afraid to punish. ' His manner was friendly, but I know not what he will do. Had the Catholics as much courage as the heretics, he would declare for them quickly enough, for he admits that they are far the larger number ; things are in such a state that the father does not trust his child.' To return to the Queen of Scots' marriage. Not- withstanding Lennox's efforts and Lady Margaret's jewels the Scottish noblemen were difficult to manage