e declared enemy of the banished lords; and by
promoting the violent prosecutions against them, he had exposed himself
to the animosity of their numerous friends and retainers. A scheme
was also thought to be formed for revoking some exorbitant grants made
during the queen's minority, and even the nobility, who had seized the
ecclesiastical benefices, began to think themselves less secure in the
possession of them.[*] The earl of Morton, chancellor, was affected by
all these considerations, and still more by a rumor spread abroad, that
Mary intended to appoint Rizzio chancellor in his place, and to bestow
that dignity on a mean and upstart foreigner, ignorant of the laws and
language of the country.[**] So indiscreet had this princess been in her
kindness to Rizzio, that even that strange report met with credit, and
proved a great means of accelerating the ruin of the favorite. Morton,
insinuating himself into Henry's confidence, employed all his art to
inflame the discontent and jealousy of that prince; and he persuaded
him, that the only means of freeing himself from the indignities under
which he labored, was to bring the base stranger to the fate which he
had so well merited, and which was so passionately desired by the
whole nation. George Douglas, natural brother to the countess of Lenox,
concurred in the same advice; and the Lords Ruthven and Lindesey, being
consulted, offered their assistance in the enterprise; nor was even
the earl of Lenox, the king's father, averse to the design.[***] But
as these conspirators were well acquainted with Henry's levity, they
engaged him to sign a paper, in which he avowed the undertaking, as
tending to the glory of God and advancement of religion, and promised
to protect them against every consequence which might ensue upon the
assassination of Rizzio.[****] All these measures being concerted, a
messenger was despatched to the banished lords, who were hovering near
the borders; and they were invited by the king to return to their native
country.

* Keith, p. 326. Melvil, p. 64.

** Buchanan, lib. xvii. c. 60. Crawford, p. 6. Spotswood, p.
194. Knox, p. 393. Jebb, vol. i. p. 456.

*** Crawford, p. 7.

**** Goodall, vol. i. p. 266. Crawford, p. 7.

This design, so atrocious in itself, was rendered still more so by the
circumstances which attended its execution. Mary, who was in the sixth
month of her pregnancy, was supping in private, and had at tabl