nfolded it, glancing at Douglas, who remained in
the same posture, and read as follows:

We, earls, lords, and barons, in consideration that our queen is detained
at Lochleven, and that her faithful subjects cannot have access to her
person; seeing, on the other hand, that our duty pledges us to provide
for her safety, promise and swear to employ all reasonable means which
will depend on us to set her at liberty again on conditions compatible
with the honour of her Majesty, the welfare of the kingdom, and even with
the safety of those who keep her in prison, provided that they consent to
give her up; that if they refuse, we declare that we are prepared to make
use of ourselves, our children, our friends, our servants, our vassals,
our goods, our persons, and our lives, to restore her to liberty, to
procure the safety of the prince, and to co-operate in punishing the late
king's murderers. If we are assailed for this intent, whether as a body
or in private, we promise to defend ourselves, and to aid one another,
under pain of infamy and perjury. So may God help us.

"Given with our own hands at Dumbarton,

"St. Andrews, Argyll, Huntly, Arbroath, Galloway, Ross, Fleming,
Herries, Stirling, Kilwinning, Hamilton, and Saint-Clair, Knight."

"And Seyton!" cried Mary, "among all these signatures, I do not see that
of my faithful Seyton."

Douglas, still kneeling, drew from his breast a second paper, and
presented it to the queen with the same marks of respect. It contained
only these few words:

"Trust George Douglas; for your Majesty has no more devoted friend in the
entire kingdom.
"SEYTON."

Mary lowered her eyes to Douglas with an expression which was hers only;
then, giving him her hand to raise him--

"Ah!" said she, with a sigh more of joy than of sadness, "now I see that
God, in spite of my faults, has not yet abandoned me. But how is it, in
this castle, that you, a Douglas.... oh! it is incredible!"

"Madam," replied George, "seven years have passed since I saw you in
France for the first time, and for seven years I have loved you". Mary
moved; but Douglas put forth his hand and shook his head with an air of
such profound sadness, that she understood that she might hear what the
young man had to say. He continued: "Reassure yourself, madam; I should
never have made this confession if, while explaining my conduct to you,
this confession would not have given you greater confidence in me. Yes,
for seven