1 566.] THE DARNLEY MARRIAGE. 405 if he was able ; ?1 anc^^urraj^lfeeliDg that he would do more good for them and for his country by remaining at home than by going with them into a second exile, returned to his sister" and was received with seeming^ cordiality Bothwell, whose estates had been forfeited for his share in the Arran conspiracy, was rewarded for his serv- ices by ' all that had belonged to Lidington.' The unfortunate King, ' contemned and disesteemed of all/ was compelled to drain the cup of dishonour. He de- clared before the council ' that he had never counselled, commanded, consented to, assisted, or approved' the murder of Eizzio. His words were taken down in writing and published at the market cross of every town in Scotland. The conspirators retorted with send- ing the Queen the bond which they had exacted from him, in which he claimed the deed as exclusively his own ; while the fugitives at Berwick addressed a clear, brief statement of the truth to the Government in England : MORTON AND RUTHVEN TO CECIL. 2 Berwick, March 2J. ' The very truth is this : the King, having con ceived a deadly hatred against David Rizzio, an Italian, and some others his accomplices, did a long time ago move unto his ally the Lord Ruthven that he might in no way endure the misbehaviour and offence of the foresaid David, and that he might be fortified by him 1 Randolph to Cecil, Marcn 21 : Scotch MSS. Rolls Souse. 2 Scotch MSS. Molls Souse.
