lord," said she, "what
you asked of me just now was but an abdication pure and simple, and I was
going to sign it. But if to this abdication is joined this marginal
note, then I renounce of my own accord, and as judging myself unworthy,
the throne of Scotland. I would not do it for the three united crowns
that I have been robbed of in turn."

"Take care, madam," cried Lord Lindsay, seizing the queen's wrist with
his steel gauntlet and squeezing it with all his angry strength--"take
care, for our patience is at an end, and we could easily end by breaking
what would not bend."

The queen remained standing, and although a violent flush had passed like
a flame over her countenance, she did not utter a word, and did not move:
her eyes only were fixed with such a great expression of contempt on
those of the rough baron, that he, ashamed of the passion that had
carried him away, let go the hand he had seized and took a step back.
Then raising her sleeve and showing the violet marks made on her arm by
Lord Lindsay's steel gauntlet,

"This is what I expected, my lords," said she, "and nothing prevents me
any longer from signing; yes, I freely abdicate the throne and crown of
Scotland, and there is the proof that my will has not been forced."

With these words, she took the pen and rapidly signed the two documents,
held them out to Lord Ruthven, and bowing with great dignity, withdrew
slowly into her room, accompanied by Mary Seyton. Ruthven looked after
her, and when she had disappeared, "It doesn't matter," he said; "she has
signed, and although the means you employed, Lindsay, may be obsolete
enough in diplomacy, it is not the less efficacious, it seems."

"No joking, Ruthven," said Lindsay; "for she is a noble creature, and if
I had dared, I should have thrown myself at her feet to ask her
forgiveness."

"There is still time," replied Ruthven, "and Mary, in her present
situation, will not be severe upon you: perhaps she has resolved to
appeal to the judgment of God to prove her innocence, and in that case a
champion such as you might well change the face of things."

"Do not joke, Ruthven," Lindsay answered a second time, with more
violence than the first; "for if I were as well convinced of her
innocence as I am of her crime, I tell you that no one should touch a
hair of her head, not even the regent."

"The devil! my lord," said Ruthven. "I did not know you were so
sensitive to a gentle voice and a tearful eye;