190 RE JON OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 43. always should remain friend to her ; she may marry her- self and have children and what shall I have gained ? ' Randolph said his mistress must have provided for that chance and would act honourably. But Mary Stuart replied justly that she could take no step of so great con- sequence without a certainty to rely upon ; she bade him tell Elizabeth that the proposal was sudden she could give no answer without longer thought ; she had no. objection to Lord Robert's person, but the match was unequal; commissioners on both sides might meet to consider it ; more she could not say. She left Randolph with an impression that she had spoken as she felt, and Maitland bade him not be discouraged. If Elizabeth would pay the price she might obtain what she wished. Yet some secret friend advised Randolph to be on his guard in the following remarkable words : ' Whereso- ever she hovers and how many times soever she doubles to fetch the wind, I believe she will at length let fall her anchor between Dover and Berwick, though perchance not in that fort, haven, or road that you wish she should.' J Elizabeth, either satisfied from Randolph's report that the Queen of Scots was on the way to compliance, or determined to leave her nothing to complain of, at once gave a marked evidence that on her part she would adhere to her engagement. Although the debate in Parliament had gone deeply into the succession ques- tion, yet it had been carried on with closed doors ; and 1 Randolph to Cecil, March 20 and April 13, 1564: Scotch MSS Hoik Home.
