Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/442

 422 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 45, She could not conceal that she was aware of Mary Stuart's intrigues with her subjects ; but she chose to content herself with reading her a lecture, as excellent as, it was useless, on the evil of her ways. Messengers were passing and repassing continually between the Court at Holyrood and Shan O'Neil. Other and more sincere English Catholics than Rokeby were coming day after day to Holyrood to offer their swords and to be admitted to confidence. Elizabeth, in the middle of June, sent Sir Henry Killigrew to remonstrate, and ' to demand such present answer as should seem satisfactory,' 1 while to his public instructions she added a private letter of her own. 1 Madam/ she wrote to the Queen of Scots, ' I am informed that open rebels against my authority are re- ceiving countenance and favour from yourself and your councillors. The news, madam, I must tell you with your pardon do much displease us. Remove these briars, I pray you, lest some thorn prick the hand of those who are to blame in this. Such matters hurt to the quick. It is not by such ways as these that you will attain the object of your wishes. These be the by-paths which those follow who fear the open road. I say not this for any dread I feel of harm that you may do me. My trust is in Him who governs all things by His justice, and with this faith I know no alarm. The stone recoils often on the head of the thrower, and you will hurt yourself you have already hurt yourself more than you can 1 Instructions to Sir H. Killigrew, sent to the Queen of Scots, June 15. Cecil's hand : Scotch MSS. Rolls House.