1565.] THE DA RX LEY MARRIAGE. 321 Mary meanwhile had re-entered Edin- Scptcmber. burgh, breathing nothing but anger and de- fiance. Argyle was in his own Highlands wasting the adjoining lands of Athol and Lennox ; but she scarcely noticed or cared for Argyle. The affection, of a sister for a brother was curdled into a hatred the more ma- lignant because it was unnatural. Her whole passion was concentrated on Murray, and after Murray on Elizabeth. The day before she had left Holy rood for the west an Englishman named Yaxlee had arrived there from Flanders. This person, who has been already mentioned as in the service of Lady Lennox, had been emplo} T ed by her as the special agent of her correspondence with the continental Courts. Lady Lennox being now in the Tower, Yaxlee followed the fortunes of her son, and came to Scotland to place himself at the disposal of Mary Stuart. He was a conspirator of the kind most danger- ous to his employers, vain, loud, and confident, fond of boasting of his acquaintance with kings and princes, and ' promising to bring to a good end whatsoever should be committed to him/ ' The wiser sort' soon understood and avoided him. The Queen of Scots however allowed herself to be persuaded by her hus- band, and placed herself in Yaxlee's power. She told him all her schemes at home and all the promises which had been made to her abroad. The Bishop of Dunblane at Rome had requested the Pope to lend her twelve thousand men, and the Pope was waiting only for Philip's sanction and co-operation to send VOL. VII. 21
