But while she won her own landslide in Scotland, Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives won an unexpected majority in the country as a whole. Describing Mr. Cameron as “a reasonably straight person to deal with” and their relationship as “businesslike,” she said she will now press him for more autonomy.

Scotland’s future status is as much dependent on Mr. Cameron as on anything Ms. Sturgeon does, she said — not only on what happens with the referendum on British membership in the European Union he has promised by the end of 2017, but also on whether the people of Scotland think he is willing to respond to their overwhelming vote for greater self-determination.

“The ball is in his court,” she said. “People often put the onus on me — will Scotland have another referendum, will we be independent? I would say there’s as much onus on David Cameron right now, because how he responds to the result of the general election in Scotland will in some way determine how people see Westminster and Scotland’s place in Westminster.”

Mr. Cameron made a symbolic effort last month, traveling to meet Ms. Sturgeon here, lingering obligingly in a prolonged handshake on the steps of Bute House, Scotland’s Downing Street.

But Ms. Sturgeon wants more than Mr. Cameron, who has ruled out full fiscal autonomy, has so far offered. She is pressing for new powers to tax and spend, the right to set Scotland’s own minimum wage, and autonomy in welfare policy to counter the tough budget cuts promised by Mr. Cameron.

In Brussels last week, she warned that if Britain votes to leave the European Union, Scotland might demand another shot at independence.