Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/397

 1566.] THE DARN1.EY MARPSAGE. 377 scarcely able to leave his bed and was inclined at first to run into no further trouble ; but pressed at length by Darnley's oaths and entreaties, he saw in what had oc- curred an opportunity for undoing his work of the summer and for bringing back the banished lords. Par- liament was to meet in the first week in March to pro- ceed with the forfeitures, so that no time was to be lost. Ruthven consulted Argyle, who was ready to agree to anything which would save Murray from attainder. Maitland, who since his conduct about the marriage had TifiATn nnflftr nn Ao1ipgA ; gave his warm adhesion ; and swiftly and silently the links of the scheme were welded. The plan was to punish the miserable minion who, what- ever his other offences, was notoriously the chief insti- gator of the Queen's bitterness against her brother, and to give the coveted crown matrimonial to Darnley, pro- vided he on his part l would take the part of the lords, bring them back to their old rooms, and establish reli- gion as it was at the Queen's home-coming.' l The conspirators for their mutual security drew a 'bond,' to which they required Darnley's signature, that he might not afterwards evade his responsibility. On their side they 'undertook to be liege subjects to the said Prince Henry, to take part with him in all his lawful actions, causes, and quarrels, to be friends to his friends and enemies to his enemies.' At the Parliament they would obtain for him ' the crown matrimonial for his life ; ' and ' failing the succession of their sovereign they Randolph to Cecil, February 20 : ScoteA Jf&9 Rolls Rouse.