This also failing, his Eminence endeavoured to dictate to the country through the Earl of Arran, the Governor of Scotland.

By a clever ruse he pretended friendship with Erskine of Dun, and endeavoured to use him for his own ends.

Curiously enough, over yonder"-- and he pointed to a yellow parchment in a black ebony frame hanging upon the panelled wall of the hall--"over there is one of the Cardinal's letters to Erskine, which shows the infamous cleric's smooth, insinuating style when it suited his purpose.

I'll go and get it for you to read." The young man rose, and, taking it down, brought it to her.

She saw that the parchment, about eight inches long by four wide, was covered with writing in brown ink, half-faded, while attached was a formidable oval red seal which bore a coat of arms surmounting the Cardinal's hat.
With difficulty they made out this interesting letter to read as follows: "RYCHT HONOURABLE AND TRAIST COUSING,--I commend me hartlie to you, nocht doutting bot my lord governour hes written specialye to you at this tyme to keep the diet with his lordship in Edinburgh the first day of November nixt to cum, quhilk I dout nocht bot ye will kepe, and I know perfitlie your guid will and mynd euer inclinit to serue my lord governour, and how ye are nocht onnely determinit to serue his lordship, at this tyme be yourself bot als your gret wais and solistatioun maid with mony your gret freyndis to do the samin, quhilk I assuris you sall cum bayth to your hier honour and the vele of you and your houss and freyndis, quhilk ye salbe sure I sall procure and fortyfie euir at my power, as I have shewin in mair speciale my mynd heirintil to your cousin of Brechin, Knycht: Praing your effectuously to kepe trist, and to be heir in Sanct Androwis at me this nixt Wedinsday, that we may depairt all togydder by Thurisday nixt to cum, towart my lord governour, and bring your frendis and servandis with you accordantly, and as my lord governour hais speciale confidence in you at this tyme; and be sure the plesour I can do you salbe evir reddy at my power as knawis God, quha preserve you eternall.
"At Sanct Androwis, the 25th day of October (1544).