But the behaviour of the Lords and of Knox seems characteristic, and worthy of examination.
It is not argued that Mary of Guise was, or became, incapable of worse than dissimulation (a case of forgery by her in the following year is investigated in Appendix B).

But her practices at this time were such as Knox could not throw the first stone at.

Her French advisers were in fact "perplexed," as Throckmorton wrote to Elizabeth (August 8).

They made preparations for sending large reinforcements: they advised concession in religion: they waited on events, and the Regent could only provide, at Leith (which was jealous of Edinburgh and anxious to be made a free burgh), a place whither she could fly in peril.

Meantime she would vainly exert her woman's wit among many dangers.
Knox, too, was exerting his wit in his own way.