Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/267

 1565.] THE EMBASSY OF DE SILVA. 24? appearance the Queen of Scots made attempts to rein- troduce the mass. Murray told Eandolph that < if she had her way in her ' Papistry ' things would be worse than ever they were.' Argyle said that unless she married as the Queen of England desired ' he and his would have to provide for their own.' The chapel at Holyrood was thrown open to all comers ; and while the Queen insisted that her subjects should ' be free to live as they listed,' the Protestants ' offered their lives to be sacrificed before they would suffer such an abomin- ation.' Becoming aggressive in turn they threatened to force the Queen into conformity, and they by their violence ' kindled in her a desire to revenge.' _Mary_ Stuart was desiring merely to reconcile the Catholics of the anti-Lennox faction to her marriage with Darnley. There was fighting about the chapel door ; the priest was attacked at the altar ; and in the daily quarrels at the council-board the Lords of the Congregation told Mary openly that ' if she thought of marrying a Papist it would not be borne with.' l Suddenly, unlooked for and uninvited, the evil spirit of the storm, the Earl of Both well, reappeared at Mary's Court. She disclaimed all share in his return ; he was still attainted ; yet there he stood none daring to lift a hand against him proud, insolent, and dangerous. At this crisis Randolph brought Mary a message which shewas desired Jo^acgfipiL^as^final ; that until Elizabeth had herself married ojrha d made up her mind 1 Randolph to Cecil, March 15, March 17, and March 20: MS. Rolls House,