ueries, with the other transactions, were laid
before her, began to think that they pointed towards a conclusion more
decisive and more advantageous than she had hitherto expected. She
determined therefore to bring the matter into full light; and, under
pretext that the distance from her person retarded the proceedings
of her commissioners, she ordered them to come to London, and there
continue the conferences. On their appearance, she immediately joined in
commission with them some of the most considerable of her council; Sir
Nicholas Bacon, lord keeper, the earls of Arundel and Leicester, Lord
Clinton, admiral, and Sir William Cecil, secretary.[****] The queen of
Scots, who knew nothing of these secret motives, and who expected that
fear or decency would still restrain Murray from proceeding to any
violent accusation against her, expressed an entire satisfaction in this
adjournment; and declared that the affair, being under the immediate
inspection of Elizabeth, was now in the hands where she most desired to
rest it.[v].

* Anderson, vol., iv. part ii. p. 77.

** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 57, 77. State Trials, vol.
i. p. 76

*** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 55. Goodall, vol. ii. p.
130.

**** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 99.

v Anderson, vol iv. part ii. p. 95. Goodall, vol. ii. p
177, 179.

The conferences were accordingly continued at Hampton Court; and Mary's
commissioners, as before, made no scruple to be present at them.

The queen, meanwhile, gave a satisfactory answer to all Murray's
demands; and declared that, though she wished and hoped from the present
inquiry to be entirely convinced of Mary's innocence, yet if the event
should prove contrary, and if that princess should appear guilty of
her husband's murder, she should, for her own part, deem her ever after
unworthy of a throne.[*] The regent, encouraged by this declaration,
opened more fully his charge against the queen of Scots; and after
expressing his reluctance to proceed to that extremity, and protesting
that nothing but the necessity of self-defence, which must not be
abandoned for any delicacy, could have engaged him in such a measure, he
proceeded to accuse her in plain terms of participation and consent in
the assassination of the king.[**] The earl of Lenox too appeared before
the English commissioners, and, imploring vengeance for the murder
of his son, accused Mary as an accomplice w