the queen, whom Darnley had at
last released, remained standing on the same spot. At this Mary could
not contain herself.

"My lord," cried she, "who has given you permission to sit down in my
presence, and whence comes such insolence?"

"Madam," Ruthven answered, "I act thus not from insolence, but from
weakness; for, to serve your husband, I have just taken more exercise
than my doctors allow". Then turning round to a servant, "Give me a
glass of wine," said he, showing Darnley his bloody dagger before putting
it back in its sheath, "for here is the proof that I have well earned
it". The servant obeyed, and Ruthven drained his glass with as much
calmness as if he had just performed the most innocent act.

"My lord," the queen then said, taking a step towards him, "it may be
that as I am a woman, in spite of my desire and my will, I never find an
opportunity to repay you what you are doing to me; but," she added,
energetically striking her womb with her hand, "he whom I bear there, and
whose life you should have respected, since you respect my Majesty so
little, will one day revenge me for all these insults". Then, with a
gesture at once superb and threatening, she withdrew by Darnley's door,
which she closed behind her.

At that moment a great noise was heard in the queen's room. Huntly,
Athol, and Bothwell, who, we are soon about to see, play such an
important part in the sequel of this history, were supping together in
another hall of the palace, when suddenly they had heard outcries and the
clash of arms, so that they had run with all speed. When Athol, who came
first, without knowing whose it was, struck against the dead body of
Rizzio, which was stretched at the top of the staircase, they believed,
seeing someone assassinated, that the lives of the king and queen were
threatened, and they had drawn their swords to force the door that Morton
was guarding. But directly Darnley understood what was going on, he
darted from the cabinet, followed by Ruthven, and showing himself to the
newcomers--

"My lords," he said, "the persons of the queen and myself are safe, and
nothing has occurred here but by our orders. Withdraw, then; you will
know more about it in time. As to him," he added, holding up Rizzio's
head by the hair, whilst the bastard of Douglas lit up the face with a
torch so that it could be recognised, "you see who it is, and whether it
is worth your while to get into trouble for him".

And i