ould agree to conceal the
most violent part of the accusation against her, would submit to any
reasonable terms of accommodation; but if he once proceeded so far as to
charge her with the whole of her guilt, no composition could afterwards
take place; and should she ever be restored, either by the power of
Elizabeth or the assistance of her other friends, he and his party must
be exposed to her severe and implacable vengeance.[***] He resolved,
therefore, not to venture rashly on a measure which it would be
impossible for him ever to recall; and he privately paid a visit to
Norfolk and the other English commissioners, confessed his scruples,
laid before them the evidence of the queen's guilt, and desired to have
some security for Elizabeth's protection, in case that evidence should,
upon examination, appear entirely satisfactory. Norfolk was not secretly
displeased with these scruples of the regent.[****]

* Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 60, et seq. Goodall, vol.
ii. p. 162.

** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 45. Goodall, vol. ii. p.
127.

*** Anderson, vol. iv. part ii. p. 47, 48. Goodall, vol. ii.
p. 159.

**** Crawford, p. 92. Melvil, p. 94, 95. Haynes, p. 574.

He had ever been a partisan of the queen of Scots. Secretary Lidington,
who began also to incline to that party, and was a man of singular
address and capacity, had engaged him to embrace further views in
her favor, and even to think of espousing her: and though that duke
confessed[*] that the proofs against Mary seemed to him unquestionable,
he encouraged Murray in his present resolution, not to produce them
publicly in the conferences before the English commissioners.[**]

Norfolk, however, was obliged to transmit to court the queries proposed
by the regent. These queries consisted of four particulars: Whether the
English commissioners had authority from their sovereign to pronounce
sentence against Mary, in case her guilt should be fully proved before
them? Whether they would promise to exercise that authority, and proceed
to an actual sentence? Whether the queen of Scots, if she were found
guilty, should be delivered into the hands of the regent, or, at least,
be so secured in England, that she never should be able to disturb the
tranquillity of Scotland? and, Whether Elizabeth would also, in that
case, promise to acknowledge the young king, and protect the regent in
his authority?[***]

Elizabeth, when these q