1585.] THE BOND OF ASSOCIATION. 597 ' Fear not, for your life must be theirs, or else they shall smart, every mother's son of them. 'November 10, The supposition that James could be deceived by the fiction of a passport to Germany was an indifferent compliment to his understanding ; and if he had been able to resent his captivity the letter would scarcely have persuaded him of Elizabeth's innocence. The business had been done so completely however that there was nothing to fear, and the King, though more respectfully treated, was as helpless as he had been in the hands of Morton. He concealed his displeasure, and appeared resigned to his fate. Young Knowles found him hunting daily, and on the happiest terms with his masters. He said he had been greatly offended with the Lords at their first return, but finding that they meant him no harm he considered God had worked a miracle in bringing about so happy a recon- ciliation. They might have done what they pleased with him, and he was now satisfied that they had taken arms, not against him, but against Arran. He was content with the result, and desired nothing but the completion of the English treaty. 2 The designs of Guise upon England were once more defeated. His preparations had been all but completed : his troops had been drawn down under various pre- texts to the Channel coast, and were ready to embark 1 MSS. Scotland. 2 William Knowles to Walsingham, November 23 December 3 : JUSS Scotland.
