nd the queen of Scots,
finding her abode in France disagreeable, began to think of returning to
her native country. Lord James, who had been sent in deputation from the
states to invite her over, seconded these intentions; and she applied to
Elizabeth, by D'Oisel, for a safe-conduct, in case she should be obliged
to pass through England;[*] but she received for answer, that, till she
had given satisfaction, by ratifying the treaty of Edinburgh, she could
expect no favor from a person whom she had so much injured.

* Goodall, vol. i. p. 175.

This denial excited her indignation; and she made no scruple of
expressing her sentiments to Throgmorton, when he reiterated his
applications to gratify his mistress in a demand which he represented
as so reasonable. Having cleared the room of her attendants, she said to
him, "How weak I may prove, or how far a woman's frailty may transport
me, I cannot tell: however, I am resolved not to have so many witnesses
of my infirmity as your mistress had at her audience of my ambassador
D'Oisel. There is nothing disturbs me so much, as the having asked,
with so much impunity, a favor which it was of no consequence for me to
obtain. I can, with God's leave, return to my own country without
_her_ leave; as I came to France, in spite of all the opposition of her
brother, King Edward: neither do I want friends both able and willing to
conduct me home, as they have brought me hither; though I was desirous
rather to make an experiment of your mistress's friendship, than of the
assistance of any other person. I have often heard you say, that a good
correspondence between her and myself would conduce much to the security
and happiness of both our kingdoms: were she well convinced of this
truth, she would hardly have denied me so small a request. But perhaps
she bears a better inclination to my rebellious subjects than to me,
their sovereign, her equal in royal dignity, her near relation, and the
undoubted heir of her kingdoms. Besides her friendship, I ask nothing at
her hands: I neither trouble her, nor concern myself in the affairs of
her state: not that I am ignorant, that there are now in England a great
many malecontents, who are no friends to the present establishment. She
is pleased to upbraid me as a person little experienced in the world: I
freely own it; but age will cure that defect. However, I am already
old enough to acquit myself honestly and courteously to my friends and
relat