Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/315

 1570.] EXCOMMUNICATION OF ELIZABETH. 301 render of the fugitive Earls, and an undertaking on the part of Mary Stuart that she would not interfere with the religion established in Scotland. She should not be pressed to conform herself to a religion which she did not believe. 1 A third time the unhappy Sussex was disturbed with a change of orders. If the Lords at Stirling chose to elect a Regent, Elizabeth said that she would not interfere with them. She could not act in the matter herself, but if they were determined and desired her opinion, the Earl of Lennox she still thought was the fittest person for the place. But Regent or no Regent, the Queen of Scots professed a willingness to be guided entirely by her advice, and she could not in honour re- fuse to hear what her friends or herself would propose. The Queen of Scots was about to send Lord Livingston to treat with them, and Elizabeth trusted that they would not refuse to receive him or weaken their cause by needless alarm or panic. 2 So many alterations, trying as they were to those immediately about the Court, were maddening to the unfortunate officers at remote stations on the Borders or abroad, on whom was thrown the responsibility of action. It might well seem that Maitland after all best understood the Queen of England's character. At this last revolution a shout of triumph rose through Mary Stuart's party, and a cry as despairing from the Lords. Buccleuch and Fernihurst, unable to restrain their de- 1 Depeches, July 5. 2 Elizabeth to Sussex, June 30, July 2 ; MSS. Scotland.