Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/66

 5 2 REIGN OF E LIZ ABE TH. [c H. 5 2 . of Norfolk's covetousness, and the Duke himself accept- ing the support of the minister whose destruction they had been invited to witness. Violent differences among themselves, a more com- plete separation of the Catholics from Norfolk, and the suspension at the same time of immediate action, were the necessary consequences. The Duke fell back upon Leicester and Pembroke, and the marriage with the Queen of Scots in the Protestant interest. He even ventured to mention the subject to Cecil, who listened with silence, but with no positive disapproval. Meanwhile Elizabeth, ignorant as yet that the pro- ject was revived, was only anxious to rid the kingdom and herself of her dangerous prisoner. She did not mean to sacrifice her own peace for the convenience of Scotland. Except for the promises with which she had entangled herself towards Murray, she would have ex- torted conditions which would have been sufficient for her own security, and have sent her back with a high hand. As time went on, and as the inconvenience of her presence became felt more sensibly, these conditions became increasingly lighter. Having resolved not to disgrace her, the Queen was being driven to act towards her as if her innocence had been proved. Many papers remain in Cecil's hand indicating both his own and Elizabeth's uncertainty, and the desire of both of them to be quit of her almost on any terms. Three alternatives were offered to the Bishop of Ross at the end of April. Either the Queen of Scots might, recognize the existing Government in Scotland, with a security that if the