ses, or even to take him into his own bed. However, in spite
of this offer, Durham insisted, saying that he felt unwell, and that he
should like to see a doctor the same evening. So the queen interceded
for Durham, and promised Darnley to send him another valet to spend the
night with him: Darnley was then obliged to yield, and, making Mary
repeat that she would send him someone, he gave Durham leave for that
evening. At that moment Paris; of whom the queen speaks in her letters,
came in: he was a young Frenchman who had been in Scotland for some
years, and who, after having served with Bothwell and Seyton, was at
present with the queen. Seeing him, she got up, and as Darnley still
wished to keep her--

"Indeed, my lord, it is impossible," said she, "to come and see you. I
have left this poor Sebastian's wedding, and I must return to it; for I
promised to came masked to his ball."

The king dared not insist; he only reminded her of the promise that she
had made to send him a servant: Mary renewed it yet once again, and went
away with her attendants. As for Durham, he had set out the moment he
received permission.

It was nine o'clock in the evening. Darnley, left alone, carefully shut
the doors within, and retired to rest, though in readiness to rise to let
in the servant who should come to spend the night with him. Scarcely was
he in bed than the same noise that he had heard the night before
recommenced; this time Darnley listened with all the attention fear
gives, and soon he had no longer any doubt but that several men were
walking about beneath him. It was useless to call, it was dangerous to
go out; to wait was the only course that remained to the king. He made
sure again that the doors were well fastened, put his sword under his
pillow, extinguished his lamp for fear the light might betray him, and
awaited in silence for his servant's arrival; but the hours passed away,
and the servant did not come. At one o'clock in the morning, Bothwell,
after having talked some while with the queen, in the presence of the
captain of the guard, returned home to change his dress; after some
minutes, he came out wrapped up in the large cloak of a German hussar,
went through the guard-house, and had the castle gate opened. Once
outside, he took his way with all speed to Kirk of Field, which he
entered by the opening in the wall: scarcely had he made a step in the
garden than he met James Balfour, governor of the castle.