in the close of my weary captivity?"

She resumed her usual habits very calmly, as far as her increased
rheumatism would permit, and showed anxiety that a large piece of
embroidery should be completed, and thus about a fortnight passed. Then
came the first token of the future. Sir Amias Paulett, Sir Walter
Mildmay, and a notary, sought her presence and presented her with a
letter from Queen Elizabeth, informing her that there were heavy
accusations against her, and that as she was residing under the
protection of the laws of England, she must be tried by those laws, and
must make answer to the commissioners appointed for the purpose. Mary
put on all her queenly dignity, and declared that she would never
condescend to answer as a subject of the Queen of England, but would
only consent to refer their differences to a tribunal of foreign
princes. As to her being under the protection of English law, she had
come to England of her own free will, and had been kept there a
prisoner ever since, so that she did not consider herself protected by
the law of England.

Meanwhile fresh noblemen commissioned to sit on the trial arrived day
by day. There was trampling of horses and jingling of equipments, and
the captive suite daily heard reports of fresh arrivals, and saw
glimpses of new colours and badges flitting across the court, while
conferences were held with Mary in the hope of inducing her to submit
to the English jurisdiction. She was sorely perplexed, seeing as she
did that to persist in her absolute refusal to be bound by English law
would be prejudicial to her claim to the English crown, and being also
assured by Burghley that if she refused to plead the trial would still
take place, and she would be sentenced in her absence. Her spirit rose
at this threat, and she answered disdainfully, but it worked with her
none the less when the treasurer had left her.

"Oh," she cried that night, "would but Elizabeth be content to let me
resign my rights to my son, making them secure to him, and then let me
retire to some convent in Lorraine, or in Germany, or wherever she
would, so would I never trouble her more!"

"Will you not write this to her?" asked Cicely.

"What would be the use of it, child? They would tamper with the
letter, pledging me to what I never would undertake. I know how they
can cut and garble, add and take away! Never have they let me see or
speak to her as woman to woman. All I have said or done ha