d thence be justified; or if she should be found innocent, every
enterprise which friendship should inspire would be acknowledged
laudable and glorious.

Agreeably to these views, Elizabeth resolved to proceed in a seemingly
generous, but really cautious manner with the queen of Scots; and she
immediately sent orders to Lady Scrope, sister to the duke of Norfolk,
a lady who lived in the neighborhood, to attend on that princess. Soon
after, she despatched to her Lord Scrope himself, warden of the marches,
and Sir Francis Knolles, vice-chamberlain. They found Mary already
lodged in the Castle of Carlisle; and after expressing the queen's
sympathy with her in her late misfortunes, they told her, that her
request of being allowed to visit their sovereign, and of being admitted
to her presence, could not at present be complied with: till she had
cleared herself of her husband's murder, of which she was so strongly
accused, Elizabeth could not without dishonor show her any countenance,
or appear indifferent to the assassination of so near a kinsman.[*]

* Anderson, vol. iv. p. 54, 66, 82, 83, 86.

So unexpected a check threw Mary into tears: and the necessity of her
situation extorted from her a declaration, that she would willingly
justify herself to her sister from all imputations, and would submit
her cause to the arbitration of so good a friend.[*] Two days after, she
sent Lord Herreis to London with a letter to the same purpose.

This concession, which Mary could scarcely avoid without an
acknowledgment of guilt, was the point expected and desired by
Elizabeth: she immediately despatched Midlemore to the regent of
Scotland; requiring him both to desist from the further prosecution of
his queen's party, and to send some persons to London to justify his
conduct with regard to her. Murray might justly be startled at receiving
a message so violent and imperious; but as his domestic enemies were
numerous and powerful, and England was the sole ally which he could
expect among foreign nations, he was resolved rather to digest the
affront, than provoke Elizabeth by a refusal. He also considered, that
though that queen had hitherto appeared partial to Mary, many political
motives evidently engaged her to support the king's cause in Scotland;
and it was not to be doubted but so penetrating a princess would in the
end discover this interest, and would at least afford him a patient and
equitable hearing. He therefore replied