The alternative was to believe that, while pretending to be false, for once she was true to Scotland; and yet she stands so deeply “rooted in dishonour,” that her acquittal puts but little to her credit.  Her only resource, when Dacre persisted in his accusation, was a feeble complaint of the bad treatment she was receiving at her brother’s hands, pleading that he neither regarded herself nor her writing; that she had not failed, and did not mean to fail, but that if others had been in her place they would have acted very differently.*

* Add.  Ms. 24, 965, f. 223, 19th May 1524; B.M.

To this Dacre replied ruthlessly, that it was well known both in Scotland and in England, not only that she had assented to the bond found in her letter, but that it had passed her sign manual and seal, in return for which, the Duke of Albany had given her the wardship and marriage of the young Earl of Huntly and of others, together with other gifts and rewards—–­a proceeding which, declared Dacre, was a great dishonour to her brother, and would perhaps after all avail her but little.  He marvelled also greatly at her pretended ignorance of the negotiations pending between Albany and himself, because in his last letter he had informed her of all the proceedings.*

* Ibid. 965, f. 244, 27th May 1524.

For some time, Margaret continued to deny feebly having formally allied herself with the regent, murmuring at Dacre’s “sharpness” towards her, notwithstanding which Dacre continued to bring fresh proofs of her duplicity before her, till Henry at last ordered him to let the matter drop, whereupon she was willing to do the same.*

* Add.  Ms. 24, 965, f. 253; B.M.

Having failed in the past to secure Margaret’s undivided favour, Henry now took a more persuasive line, and sought to convince his sister how much good might in future accrue to her if she would but “go the fruitful way.”  The unfortunate Angus, who had taken refuge in England, was now sent back, in the hope that a possible reconciliation with her husband might detach her from Albany.  But this was far from succeeding.  Margaret could with difficulty be induced to receive him, and all the money that Henry sent to her went to strengthen the hands of her husband’s enemies, so that Angus was obliged to entreat that no further supplies might be provided.  Margaret then veered round, and said that Albany had sent to her with great offers if she would join his party, adding that perhaps the duke would marry her after getting her divorced.  How this could be possible, considering that Albany had a wife already, might puzzle a mind more fettered by the logic of facts than was the queen’s.