Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/296

 276 RETON OF ELIZABETH. [en. 43. title had been suspended', and the foolish boy struck with his dagger at the justice-clerk who was sent to tell him of the unwelcome change. But whether earl or duke he would alike p.oTrmm'ttrftagnTi to Elizabeth, and Throgmorton hurried forward to be in time if possible to prevent a catastrophe which would make reconciliation hopeless. A message from the Queen of Scots met him at Edinburgh that he should have his audience when the creation was over, and that he must remain where he was till she sent for him. So well he wished to Mary that he would not obey ; he pushed right on to Stirling and reached the castle on the morning of the fatal day. But the gates were locked in his face ; and it was not till toward evening that he received an intimation that the Queen would receive him. When he was at last admitted into her presence the creation was over ; the oath had been sworn ; and the Queen of Scots stood triumphant, her eyes flashing pride and defiance, surrounded by half the northern lords. Sir Nicholas Throgmorton and Mary Stuart had last met on the eve of her departure from France, when he had vainly entreated her to ratify the Treaty of Edin- burgh. He was now witnessing another act of the same drama. In England he had been a warm advocate of her re- cognition, and she received him with gracious kindness. He presented his despatches ; he then said that he was sent by the Queen of England to express ' her surprise at the hasty proceedings with the Lord Darnley, seeing how he and his father had failed, of their dutv in enter-