Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/386

 372 REIGN OF ELIZABETH". [CH. 55. that this time the negotiation should be successful. Cecil made up his mind to the Duke's conversion, and saw him in imagination becoming ' a professor of the Gospel ; ' ' a noble conqueror of all Popery in Christen- dom ; ' while "Walsingham, too eager to doubt that the marriage would be brought about, was busy knitting the political combinations which were to follow, and forming plans for the conquest of the Low Countries. 1 The marriage project meanwhile, in its incipient stages, had not affected the diplomatic interference of France in 'behalf of the Queen of Scots. Charles continued to declare, that unless his sister-in-law was released he would have to take up her cause in earnest. M. de Yirac remained at Dumbarton with the Hamiltons. La Mothe still pressed upon Elizabeth, and Elizabeth de- clared that she still intended to keep her promise. Not- withstanding the protest of the Regent, the English council resolved itself into a commission for a final settlement. The Bishop of Galloway and Lord Living- ston came up from Chatsworth. 2 They were well received by Elizabeth, and a suspension of hostilities was proclaimed in Scotland till the ist of April, by which time it was expected that all would be arranged. The proceedings waited only for the appear- ance of the representatives of the Regent ; and the delay gave opportunities for informal discussions and endless intrigues. Maitland's letters were deciphered and read by Cecil. La Mothe objected to the education of the 1 Cecil to Wai singham, March, Complete Ambassador. 25 ; Walsingham to Cecil, April 5 : I 2 January 14.