1 565 . ] THE DARNLE Y MARRIA GE. 337 When Melville returned with Elizabeth's anssver it was interpreted into a fresh promise of interference in their behalf, not only by the lords, whom, anxiety might have made sanguine, but by the bearer of the message to whom Elizabeth had herself spoken. They immediately recovered their courage, broke off their communications with the Queen of Scots, and prepared to continue their resistance. Elizabeth would have done better if she had spoken less ambiguously. Mary Stuart, who had paused to as- certain what they would do, set out at once for the Border with Athol, Both well, and a motley force of 18,000 men. She rode in person at their head in steel bonnet and corselet, ' with a dagg at her saddlebow/ l declaring that ' all who held intercourse with England should be treated as enemies to the realm ; ' while Darnley boasted that he was about ' to be made the greatest that ever reigned in the isle of Britain.' * Hizzio was still the presiding spirit in Mary's council, chamber. ' You may think/ wrote Randolph, ' what the matter meaneth that a stranger and a varlet should have the whole guiding of the Queen and country.' 3 The army was but a confused crowd : of loyal friends the Queen could really count on none but Bothwell, young Athol, and perhaps Hun try; 'fop r f^t- were as like to turn against her as stand by her/ She perhaps trusted to some demonstration from Berwick to kindle Randolph to Cecil, October 13: Scotch MSS. Rolls House. 1 8 : Scotch MSS. Rolls House. 3 MS. Ibid. 2 Randolph to Leicester, October VOL. vn. 22
