Davison was imprisoned for some time and was fined so heavily that he was reduced to poverty. Elizabeth sent a copy of his sentence to King James and also a letter telling him that the execution of his mother was a "miserable accident." James was easily comforted. He had been taught to look upon her as a shame and disgrace to himself. If she had not been the murderer of his father, she had, at least, married the murderer, and within three months after the commission of the crime. He was lawful heir to the throne of England, but he knew that she had done all that lay in her power to deprive him of his birthright. He wrote an earnest letter to Elizabeth in the attempt to save his mother's life, but it was soon followed by a sort of apology and an intimation that all would be well if she would formally recognize him as her successor. It is probable that there will always be two opinions in regard to the justice of Mary's execution. "She fled to England for refuge," says one, "and should have been set free." "To set her free would have been to deliver her up to the foes who would have taken her life," says the other, "or else to the friends who would have made war against England." "A prisoner cannot be blamed for seeking liberty." "But one may be justly punished for plotting treason." "Mary was not a subject of the queen of England." "He who commits treason is punished whether he is a subject or not." "The testimony against her was false." "It was sworn to by solemn oath. There was no other means of discovering the truth." As to Elizabeth's real share in the execution of Mary there is quite as much difference of opinion. "Because of her fear and jealousy she put to death the cousin to whom she had given every reason to expect protection," say the partisans of Mary. "It shows little of either fear or jealousy to let her live for fifteen years," retort the supporters of Elizabeth. "At least she signed the warrant with her own hand." "Even a Tudor queen was not free to follow her own will. The English council had urged the deed for many years." "Secretary Davison declared that she wished the warrant carried out." "Davison told four different stories, and no one of them agreed with Elizabeth's version of the scene. Who shall tell where truth lies?" "The warrant would have been worthless without her name." "Walsingham's private secretary confessed many years afterwards that he forged the name at his master's command." [Illustration: Last moment of Mary, Queen of Scots.--_From painting by an unknown artist._] "Then why did she not deny the signature?"