532 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 56. September. came to an understanding with the party at Stirling. Lennox, for general convenience and through Morton's interest, was to be continued as Regent. Elizabeth had bought Morton's services, finding it cheaper to bribe a single nobleman than maintain a Government. 1 But he was to be placed under restraint, unable to act with- out consent of a council, and generally rendered so un- easy in his seat ' that he would be glad to be gone/ ~ A great meeting of the Lords was held at Stirling, to consider the propositions which should be submitted to Elizabeth. This much only they had at once resolved, that the Prince should in no- case be sent to England as Elizabeth desired ; and no right whatever should be recognized as existing in the Queen of England to decide who should or should not be the Scottish Sovereign. The unfortunate Lennox could but lament to Cecil the indecision of his mistress, which had thus shaken her influence : was it not for his grand- son, he said, no earthly interest should tempt him to remain in office another day. 3 Neglected in the midst of the crowd, desolate and weeping with such few friends as privately came to him, the father of Darnley sat waiting for his approaching fate. If threatening to England, the new combination was no less unfavourable to the projects of the ' Cas- 1 Morton took her money and professed to place himself at Eliza- beth's- disposition, ' either to use him to quench the fire among them or to make the flame break out further.' Drury to Cecil, August 24 : MSS. Scotland. 2 John Case to Drury, September 2 : MSS. Scotland. 3 Lennox to Cecil, August 25 :. MSS. Ibid.
