Upon this report, the aforenamed GEORGE ELLIOT took occasion to question with this PAYNE, How they could find in their hearts to attempt an act of so great cruelty; considering how high an offence it should be to GOD, besides great danger might arise thereby. [Sidenote: A most traitorous and villanous answer. Of every true subject to be read with due reverence of the person. [A.M.]] Whereto PAYNE made answer, That the killing [of] Her Majesty was no offence to GOD, nor the uttermost cruelty they could use to her, nor [to] any that took her part: but that they might as lawfully do it as to a brute beast. And himself would be one of the foremost in the executing [of] this villanous and most traitorous action. In _Lansd. MS._ 32, No. 60, in the British Museum, there is a paper to the same effect, signed by G. E. [GEORGE ELLIOT]. It is headed _Certain Notes and Remembrances concerning a Reconciliation, &c._; and bears marginal notes by Lord BURGHLEY. It will probably be new to most readers that ELLIOT's arrest of CAMPION was a pure matter of accident. ELLIOT went to Lyford Manor House more particularly in search of PAYNE the Priest, and found CAMPION there by chance. The Jesuit had been secretly, but securely, wandering through the land from one Roman Catholic household to another, for more than a year; despite the _utmost_ efforts of the English Government to put their hands on him: and at last he becomes their prisoner almost by a pure accident. CAMPION was lodged in the Tower on the 22nd July 1581. Two days later, ANTHONY MUNDAY's _Brief Discourse of the taking of EDMUND CAMPION &c._, was entered at Stationers' Hall [ARBER, _Transcript &c._, II. 397]. It was therefore very hurriedly written, and mainly from information supplied by Master HUMPHREY FOSTER, High Sheriff of Berkshire: who, being himself a Roman Catholic, had been very slack at the capture of CAMPION [p. 214]; but who, for his own protection, puts a better face on things in MUNDAY's hurriedly written _Discourse, &c._ See pages 207, 215, 217. It is as a reply to this tract of MUNDAY's, that ELLIOT wrote the following Text in 1581. In February 1582, they were however good friends again; as will be seen at page 223.] _To the Christian Reader, GEORGE ELLIOT wisheth all due reverence._