ck of her chair, and partly to her who was paying her this
unforeseen visit,

"We are fortunate to-day," said she, "for we are going as it seems to
enjoy the society of our good hostess, whom we thank besides for having
kindly maintained with us the empty ceremony of announcing herself--a
ceremony with which, having the keys of our apartment, she could have
dispensed."

"If my presence is inconvenient to your grace," replied Lady Lochleven,
"I am all the more sorry for it, as circumstances will oblige me to
impose it twice daily, at least during the absence of my son, who is
summoned to Edinburgh by the regent; this is of what I came to inform
your grace, not with the empty ceremonial of the court, but with the
consideration which Lady Lochleven owes to everyone who has received
hospitality in her castle."

"Our good hostess mistakes our intention," Mary answered, with affected
good-nature; "and the regent himself can bear witness to the pleasure we
have always had in bringing nearer to us the persons who can recall to
us, even indirectly, our well-beloved father, James V. It will be
therefore unjustly that Lady Douglas will interpret in a manner
disagreeable to herself our surprise at seeing her; and the hospitality
that she offers us so obligingly does not promise us, in spite of her
goodwill, sufficient distractions that we should deprive ourselves of
those that her visits cannot fail to procure us."

"Unfortunately, madam," replied Lady Lochleven, whom Mary was keeping
standing before her, "whatever pleasure I myself derive from these
visits, I shall be obliged to deprive myself of, except at the times I
have mentioned. I am now too old to bear fatigue, and I have, always been
too proud to endure sarcasms."

"Really, Seyton," cried Mary, seeming to recollect herself, "we had not
dreamed that Lady Lochleven, having won her right to a stool at the court
of the king my father, would have need to preserve it in the prison of
the queen his daughter. Bring forward a seat, Seyton, that we be not
deprived so soon, and by a failure of memory on our part, of our gracious
hostess's company; or even," went on Mary, rising and pointing out her
own seat to Lady Lochleven, who was making a motion to withdraw, "if a
stool does not suit you, my lady, take this easy-chair: you will not be
the first member of your family to sit in my place."

At this last allusion, which recalled to her Murray's usurpation, Lady
Lochleven was