Whereas the Scottish lords would be allowed to appear before the tribunal, equipped with all their proofs, Mary was to be represented only by two confidential agents. Solely from a distance and through intermediaries could she levy her counter-accusation against the rebel lords who, for their part, could speak freely with their own voices, and could form cabals among themselves. By this perfidious arrangement the captured Queen was at one stroke reduced from the offensive to the defensive. The fine pledges which were previously given her might now be ignored. Elizabeth, who had declared it incompatible with her honour to receive Mary Stuart until the proceedings were over, did not hesitate to admit the rebel Moray to her presence. This little matter did not trouble her “honour”. No doubt the determination to force Mary into the dock was still carefully veiled, for appearances must be kept up before the eyes of the foreign world. The Scottish lords, it was said, would have to “justify”
