The monastery; The abbot.

416 WAVE RLEY NOVELS.
"than the shameless marriage betwixt the widow of the murdered and the
leader of the band of murderers! -They that joined hands in the fated
month of May, had already united hearts and counsel in the deed which
preceded that marriage but a few brief weeks."
"My lord, my lord!" said the Queen, eagerly, "remember well there
were more consents than mine to that fatal union, that most unhappy act
of a most unhappy life. The evil steps adopted by sovereigns are often
the suggestion of bad counsellors; but these counsellors are worse than
fiends who tempt and betray, if they themselves are the first to call their
unfortunate princes to answer for the consequences of their own advice.
Heard ye never of a bond by the nobles, my lords, recommending that illfated union to the ill-fated Mary? Methinks, were it carefully examined,
we should see that the names of Morton and of Lindesay, and of Ruthven,
may be found-in that bond, which pressed me to marry that unhappy man.
-Ah! stout and loyal Lord Herries, who never knew guile or dishonour,
you bent your noble knee to me in vain, to warn me of my danger, and
wert vet the first to draw thy good sword in my cause when I suffered for
neglecting thy counsel! Faithful knight and true noble, what a difference
betwixt thee and those counsellors of evil, who now threaten my life for
having fallen into the snares they spread for me!"
"Madam," said Ruthven, "we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath
been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the
cabals of state. We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour,
ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?"
" And what warrant have I," said the Queen, " that ye will keep treaty
with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to
weep in secret?"
"Our honour and our word, madam," answered Ruthven.
"They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord," said the Queen;
"add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the
balance."
"Away, Ruthven," said Lindesay; " she was ever deaf to counsel, save
of slaves and sycophants; let her remain by her refusal, and abide by it!"
" Stay, my lord," said Sir Robert Melville, "or rather permit me to have
but a few minutes' private audience with her Grace. If my presence with
you could avail aught, it must be as a mediator —do not, I conjure you,
leave the castle, or break off the conference, until I bring you word how
her Grace shall finally stand disposed."
"'We will remain in the hall," said Lindesay, "for half an hour's space;
but in despising our words and our pledge of honour, she has touched the
honour of my name -let her look herself to the course she has to pursue.
If the half hour should pass away without her determining to comply with
the demands of the nation, her career will be brief enough."
With little ceremony the two nobles left the apartment, traversed the
vestibule, and descended the winding-stairs, the clash of Lindesay's huge
sword being heard as it rang against each step in his descent. George
Douglas followed them, after exchanging with Melville a gesture of surprise and sympathy.
As soon as they were gone, the Queen, giving way to grief, fear, and
agitation, threw herself into the seat, wrung her hands, and seemed to
abandon herself to despair. Her female attendants, weeping themselves,
endeavoured yet to pray her to be composed, and Sir Robert Melville,
kneeling at her feet, made the same entreaty. After giving way to a
passionate burst of sorrow, she at length said to Melville, " Kneel not to
me, Melville-mock me not with the homage of the person, when the heart
is far away-Why stay you behind with the deposed, the condemned? her.
who has but few hours perchance to live? You have been favoured as well