for that very reason been made secretary, and she
ordered him privately to draw a warrant for the execution of the queen
of Scots; which, she afterwards said, she intended to keep by her, in
case any attempt should be made for the deliverance of that princess.
She signed the warrant; and then commanded Davison to carry it to the
chancellor, in order to have the great seal appended to it. Next day
she sent Killigrew to Davison, enjoining him to forbear, some time,
executing her former orders; and when Davison came and told her that
the warrant had already passed the great seal, she seemed to be
somewhat moved, and blamed him for his precipitation. Davison, being in
perplexity, acquainted the council with this whole transaction; and they
endeavored to persuade him to send off Beale with the warrant: if the
queen should be displeased, they promised to justify his conduct, and
to take on themselves the whole blame of this measure.[*] The secretary,
not sufficiently aware of their intention, complied with the advice; and
the warrant was despatched to the earls of Shrewsbury and Kent, and some
others, ordering them to see the sentence executed upon the queen of
Scots.

The two earls came to Fotheringay Castle, and being introduced to Mary,
informed her of their commission, and desired her to prepare for death
next morning at eight o'clock. She seemed nowise terrified, though
somewhat surprised, with the intelligence. She said with a cheerful,
and even a smiling countenance, that she did not think the queen, her
sister, would have consented to her death, or have executed the sentence
against a person not subject to the laws and jurisdiction of England.
"But as such is her will," said she, "death, which puts an end to all my
miseries, shall be to me most welcome; nor can I esteem that soul
worthy the felicities of heaven, which cannot support the body under the
horrors of the last passage to these blissful mansions."[**] She then
requested the two noblemen, that they would permit some of her servants,
and particularly her confessor, to attend her; but they told her, that
compliance with this last demand was contrary to their conscience; [***]
and that Dr. Fletcher, dean of Peterborough, a man of great learning,
should be present to instruct her in the principles of true religion.
Her refusal to have any conference with this divine inflamed the zeal of
the earl of Kent; and he bluntly told her, that her death would be the
life