accusation were only too fresh in his memory.
Yet, as he said afterwards to his son, "There was no forbidding the
maiden to do her utmost for her own mother, neither was there any
letting her run the risk alone."

To which Humfrey heartily responded.

"The Queen may forbid her, or the purpose may pass away," added
Richard, "or it may be clearly useless and impossible to make the
attempt; but I cannot as a Christian man strive to dissuade her from
doing what she can. And as thou saidst, Humfrey, she is changed. She
hath borne her modestly and discreetly, ay and truly, through all. The
childishness is gone out of her, and I mark no lightness of purpose in
her."

On that afternoon Queen Mary announced that she had yielded to Hatton's
representations so far as to consent to appear before the
Commissioners, provided her protest against the proceedings were put on
record.

"Nay, blame me not, good Melville," she said. "I am wearied out with
their arguments. What matters it how they do the deed on which they
are bent? It was an ill thing when King Harry the Eighth brought in
this fashion of forcing the law to give a colour to his will! In the
good old times, the blow came without being first baited by one and
another, and made a spectacle to all men, in the name of justice,
forsooth!"

Mary Seaton faltered something of her Majesty's innocence shining out
like the light of day.

"Flatter not thyself so far, ma mie," said Mary. "Were mine innocence
clearer than the sun they would blacken it. All that can come of this
same trial is that I may speak to posterity, if they stifle my voice
here, and so be known to have died a martyr to my faith. Get we to our
prayers, girls, rather than feed on vain hopes. De profundis clamavi."

CHAPTER XXXV.

BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS.

Who would be permitted to witness the trial? As small matters at hand
eclipse great matters farther off, this formed the immediate excitement
in Queen Mary's little household, when it was disclosed that she was to
appear only attended by Sir Andrew Melville and her two Maries before
her judges.

The vast hall had space enough on the ground for numerous spectators,
and a small gallery intended for musicians was granted, with some
reluctance, to the ladies and gentlemen of the suite, who, as Sir Amias
Paulett observed, could do no hurt, if secluded there. Thither then
they proceeded, and to Cicely's no small delight, found Humfrey
await