If the conspiracy failed, they must expect to suffer the severest punishment from the court of England; if it succeeded, the lightest punishment which they could hope for from their own mistress, must be disgrace, on account of their temerity.

Not to mention, that Mary's concurrence was in some degree requisite for effecting the design of her escape.

It was proposed to attack her guards while she was employed in hunting; she must therefore concert the time and place with the conspirators.

The second supposition is, that these two secretaries were previously traitors; and being gained by Walsingham, had made such a reply in their mistress's cipher, as might involve her in the guilt of the conspiracy.

But these two men had lived long with the queen of Scots, had been entirely trusted by her, and had never fallen under suspicion either with her or her partisans.