430 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [en. 45. ttdth the Archduke that they had abandoned hope. The Scottish Prince was the soleohject_of their interest, and all tEe" motives winch before had recommended Mary Stuart were working with irresistible force. Whatever might be the Queen's personal reluctance, Melville was able to feel that it would avail little ; the cause of his mistress, if her game was now played with tolerable skill, was virtually won. Norfolk declared for her, Pembroke declared for her, no longer caring to conceal their feelings ; even Leicester, now that his own chances were over, became ' the Queen of Scots' avowed friend/ and pressed her claims upon Elizabeth, ' alleg- ing that to acknowledge them would be her greatest security, and that Cecil would undo all.' 1 All that Melville found necessary was to give his mistress a few slight warnings and cautions. Her recognition as second person he knew that she regarded as but a step to the de- thronement of Elizabethj nor did he advise her to abandon her ambition. He did not wish her to slacken her correspondence with the Catholics ; she need not cease ' to entertain O'Neil ; ' but he required her only to be prudent and secret. ' Seeing the great mark her Majesty shot at, she should be careful and circumspect, that her desires being so near to be obtained should not be overthrown for lack of management.' 2 Schooled for once by advice, Mary Stuart August. wrote from her sick bed to Melville's brother 1 MELVILLE'S Memoirs. 2 Ibid.
