542 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 67. revenge.' Neville had argued that it could not be done. Parry had replied that nothing could be more easy. The Queen was in the habit of walking alone in the Palace gardens at Westminster. Belonging himself to the household, he had access to her presence every- where : he could introduce his companion, and a barge might be ready at the water-side to carry them down the river as soon as the deed was done. If this failed they could ride up on each side of her carriage as she was going to St James's and fire their pistols in her face. There would be no pursuit, ' for the world was weary of her.' Neville professed to have turned a deaf ear and had left London. When he returned he found Parry smart- ing after his adventure in Parliament. The member for Queensborough, it appeared, had set aside his scruples ; he had tried the other means and had failed, and was now really determined to execute his commis- sion from Morgan. He again asked his friend to help him. The English were all cowards, he said, and ' Neville was the only man with whom he could act in such a matter.' Neville said that he ' made semblance to be more willing than before, hoping to learn more of Parry's intention : ' when he had gathered all that was necessary, * he dis- charged his conscience,' and revealed to the council 'the traitorous and abominable intention.' 1 Instant arrest of course followed. Parry was ex- amined in the Tower by Hunsdon, Hatton, and Walsing- 1 Confession of Edmund Neville, February u 21, 1585 : MSS. Do- mestic.
