The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in contemporary letters . s affec-tion, and she felt sure that it was for some other reasonthan religion, as in that she was excusable, becauseshe had been educated in it, and had never even heardthe doctrines of the old faith. She then entreated theQueen to let her have books controverting the religionwhich she has always been taught, so that she mightsee if the reading would enable her to overcome herscruples, and also to allow some learned man toinstruct her as to the truth. All this was granted toher by the Queen, who was rejoiced to find so muc
The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in contemporary letters . s affec-tion, and she felt sure that it was for some other reasonthan religion, as in that she was excusable, becauseshe had been educated in it, and had never even heardthe doctrines of the old faith. She then entreated theQueen to let her have books controverting the religionwhich she has always been taught, so that she mightsee if the reading would enable her to overcome herscruples, and also to allow some learned man toinstruct her as to the truth. All this was granted toher by the Queen, who was rejoiced to find so muchdevotion in her sister. Since then the Princess hasbeen convinced, and was at Mass on the Feast of theNativity of our Lady, from which, however, she wishedto excuse herself, saying that she was ill; and shecomplained loudly on the way, keeping up a pretenceof illness. We have heard little on good authority,but it is said by some who are here that she has beenforced to take this step, as if she had not embraced theold religion the Queen would not have allowed her to. Mary I. f/•:«;«/ a fiortrait by Lucas </,? //,;iy in thf collection of the Society of Aiitiijuarics.) FRENCH SCHEMES FOR MARY STUART 83 remain at Court. However it maybe,this abjuration,even though it be only feigned, will serve as a goodexample, and help to further the cause of religion. It is interesting to compare this with the account pre-sented to Henry H. by his astute Ambassador, M. Antoine deNoailles, who was already busy with his schemes to makeuse of Elizabeth and the Protestants for the ultimate benefitof Mary Queen of Scots, now betrothed to the Dauphin ofFrance. Therein lay a graver danger to England for themoment than the growth of Spanish influence, for the Frenchhad greatly increased their power in England under Northum-berland, whose shameful peace with France and Scotland in1550 had involved the surrender of Boulogne and suchScottish fortresses as remained in English possession, as wellas t
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