336 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [011.44. ville to London to explain his situation and to request in form the assistance which had been promised him. Elizabeth assured Melville that she was sorry for their condition. She bade him return and tell Murray that she would do her very best for himself and his cause ; but she could not support him by arms without declar- ing war against the Queen of Scots, and she could not declare war ' without just cause/ If the Queen of Scots therefore were to offer him ' any tolerable conditions ' she would not have him refuse ; 'if on the other hand the indignation of the Queen was so cruelly intended as he and his companions could obtain no end with preserv- ation of their lives, her Majesty, both for her private love towards those that were noblemen and of her princely honour and clemency towards such as were tyrannically persecuted, would receive them into her protection, save their persons and their lives from ruin, and so far would give them aid and succour ; ' she would send a commissioner to Scotland to intercede with the Queen, ' and with him also an army to be used as her Majesty should see just occasion given to her/ l The lords had become f desperate of hope and as men dismayed ; ' they had repented bitterly of ' having trusted so much to England : ' 2 Chatelherault, Glen- cairn, Kirkaldy all in fact save Murray desired to make terms with Mary, and were feeling their way to- wards recovering her favour at the expense of the Queen of England, whom they accused of betraying them. 1 Answer to Robert Melville, October i : Scotch MSS. Rolls Hoitse. 2 Bedford to Cecil, October 5 : MS. Ibid.
