emptation,--one, it must be confessed, of no common force and aided
by pleas of public utility not a little plausible,--to become victorious
over her first thoughts, her better feelings, her more virtuous
resolves. For the honor of human nature, it may be believed that the
latter state of feeling must have been that experienced by a princess
whose life had been as yet unsullied by any considerable violations of
faith, justice, or humanity: but it must not escape remark, that the
first steps taken by her in this business were strong, decided in their
character, and almost irretrievable.

Lady Scrope, sister of the duke of Norfolk, was indeed sent to attend
the illustrious stranger at Carlisle, and lord Scrope warden of the west
marches and sir Francis Knolles the vice-chamberlain were soon after
dispatched thither with letters for her of kind condolence: but when
Mary applied to these persons for permission to visit their queen, they
replied, that, until she should have cleared herself of the shocking
imputation of her husband's murder, public decorum and her own
reputation must preclude a princess so nearly related to the late king
of Scots from receiving her into her presence. That it was however with
regret that their mistress admitted this delay; and as soon as the queen
of Scots should have vindicated herself on this point, they were
empowered to promise her a reception suited at once to a sovereign and a
kinswoman in distress.

Had not Elizabeth previously committed herself in some degree by
interference in behalf of Mary, and by promises to her of support, no
one could reasonably have blamed the caution or the coldness of this
reply to a request, which, under all the circumstances, might justly be
taxed with effrontery. But in the judgement of Mary and her friends, and
perhaps even of more impartial judges, the part already taken by
Elizabeth had deprived her of the right of recurring to former events as
a plea for the exclusion of the queen of Scots from her presence and
favor.

Tears of grief and anger burst from the eyes of Mary on this unexpected
check, which struck her heart with the most melancholy forebodings; but
aware of the necessity of disguising fears which would pass for an
evidence of guilt, she hastily replied, that she was willing to submit
her whole conduct to the judgement of the queen her sister, and did not
doubt of being able to produce such proofs of her innocence as would
satisfy her and