Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/471

 1566.] THE MURDER OF DARNLEY. 45 1 1 In spite of her struggles the Queen saw the net closing round her. Fair speeches were to serve her turn no longer, and either she would have to endure some husband whom she detested the very thought of, or submit to a settlement the result of which it was easy to foresee. Into her feelings, or into such aspect of them as she chose to exhibit, we once more gain curious insight through a letter of de Silva. So distinctly was Eliza- beth's marriage the object of the present move of the House of Commons that the Queen of Scots, in dread of it, was contented to withdraw the pressure for a deter- mination in her own favour, and consented to bide her time* GUZMAN DE SILVA TO PHILIP II. 1 October 26. ' The Parliament is in full debate on the succession. The Queen is furious about it ; she is advised that if the question come to a vote in the Lower House the greatest number of voices will be for the Lady Catherine. This to avoid all errors in disobedience, whereby civil wars may be avoided. 'And because presently it seem- eth very uncomfortable to the Queen's Majesty to hear of this at this time, and that it is hoped that God will direct her heart to think more com- fortably hereof, it may be required that her marriage may proceed with all convenient speed; and that if her Majesty cannot condescend to enter into the disquisition and stab- lishing of the succession in this Ses- sion, that yet for the satisfaction of her people she will prorogue this Parliament until another short time, within which it may be seen what God will dispose of her marriage, and then to begin her Parliament again, and to proceed in such sort as shall seem meetest then for the matter of succession, which may with more satisfaction be done to her Ma- jesty if she shall then be married.' Domestic MSS. Rolls House. 1 MS. Simancas.