who came to fulfil the duties enjoined on a member of the family to make
the queen easy, but George Douglas, whom his mother in her displeasure at
the morning scene sent to replace her. Thus, when Mary Seyton told the
queen that she saw the young man with dark hair cross the courtyard on
his way to her, Mary still further congratulated herself on her decision;
for this young man's insolence had wounded her more deeply than all his
mother's haughty insults. The queen was not a little astonished, then,
when in a few minutes Mary Seyton returned and informed her that George
Douglas, having sent away the servants, desired the honour of speaking to
her on a matter of importance. At first the queen refused; but Mary
Seyton told her that the young man's air and manner this time were so
different from what she had seen two days before, that she thought her
mistress would be wrong to refuse his request.

The queen rose then, and with the pride and majesty habitual to her,
entered the adjoining room, and, having taken three steps, stopped with a
disdainful air, waiting for George to address her.

Mary Seyton had spoken truly: George Douglas was now another man. To-day
he seemed to be as respectful and timid as the preceding day he had
seemed haughty and proud. He, in his turn, made a step towards the
queen; but seeing Mary Seyton standing behind her--

"Madam," said he, "I wished to speak with your Majesty alone: shall I not
obtain this favour?"

"Mary Seyton is not a stranger to me, Sir: she is my sister, my friend;
she is more than all that, she is my companion in captivity."

"And by all these claims, madam, I have the utmost veneration for her;
but what I have to tell you cannot be heard by other ears than yours.
Thus, madam, as the opportunity furnished now may perhaps never present
itself again, in the name of what is dearest to you, grant me what I
ask."

There was such a tone of respectful prayer in George's voice that Mary
turned to the young girl, and, making her a friendly sign with her hand--

"Go, then, darling," said she; "but be easy, you will lose nothing by not
hearing. Go."

Mary Seyton withdrew; the queen smilingly looked after her, till the door
was shut; then, turning to George--

"Now, sir," said she, "we are alone, speak."

But George, instead of replying, advanced to the queen, and, kneeling on
one knee, drew from his breast a paper which he presented to her. Mary
took it with amazement, u