The monastery; The abbot.

472 WAV.ERLEY NOVELS.
The Queen cast not an ungratified glance on a large mirror, which,
hanging on one side of the apartment, and illuminated by the torch-light,
reflected her beautiful face and person. "Our hostess grows complaisant,"
she said, "my Fleming; we had not thought that grief and captivity had
left us so well stored with that sort of wealth which ladies prize most
dearly."
"' Your Grace will drive this severe woman frantic," said Fleming, in a
low tone. " On my knees I implore you to remember she is already dreadfully offended, and that we are in her power."
" I will not spare her, Fleming," answered the Queen; " it is against my
nature. She returned my honest sympathy with insult and abuse, and I
will gall her in return, - if her words are too blunt for answer, let her use
her poniard if she dare!"
"The Lady Lochleven," said the Lady Fleming aloud, " would surely do
well now to withdraw, and to leave her Grace to repose."
"Ay," replied the Lady, " or to leave her Grace, and her Grace's minions,
to think what silly fly they may next wrap their meshes about. My eldest
son is a widower-were he not more worthy the flattering hopes with which
you have seduced his brother? — True, the yoke of marriage has been
already thrice fitted on -but the church of Rome calls it a sacrament, and
its votaries may deem it one in which they cannot too often participate."
" And the votaries of the church of Geneva," replied Mary, colouring with
indignation, "as they deem marriage no sacrament, are said at times to
dispense with the holy ceremony."-Then, as if afraid of the consequences
of this home allusion to the errors of Lady Lochleven's early life, the Queen
added, " Come, my Fleming, we grace her too much by this altercation; we
will to our sleeping apartment. If she would disturb us again to-night, she
must cause the door to be forced." So saying, she retired to her bed-room,
followed by her two women.
Lady Lochleven, stunned as it were by this last sarcasm, and not the less
deeply incensed that she had drawn it upon herself, remained like a statue
on the spot which she had occupied when she received an affront so flagrant.
Dryfesdale and Randal endeavoured to rouse her to recollection bl questions.
" What is your honourable Ladyship's pleasure in the premises?"
" Shall we not double the sentinels, and place one upon the boats and
another in the garden?" said Randal.
"Would you that despatches were sent to Sir William at Edinburgh, to
acquaint him with what has happened?" demanded Dryfesdale; " and ought
~not the place of Kinross to be alarmed, lest there be force upon the shores
of the lake?"
"lDo all as thou wilt," said the Lady, collecting herself, and about to
depart. " Thou hast the name of a good soldier, Dryfesdale, take all
precautions. - Sacred eaven! that I should be thus openly insulted!
"Would it be your pleasure," said Dryfesdale, hesitating, "that this
person- this Lady -be more severely restrained?"' No, vassal!" answered the Lady, indignantly, "my revenge stoops not
to so low a gratification. But I will have more worthy vengeance, or the
tomb of my ancestors shall cover my shame!"
"And you shall have it, madam," replied Dryfesdale-" ere two suns go
down, you shall term yourself amply revenged."
The Lady made no answer-perhaps did not hear his words, as she
presently left the apartment. By the command of Dryfesdale, the rest of
the attendants were dismissed,'some to do the duty of guard, others to their
repose. The steward himself remained after they had all departed; and
Roland Grmme, who was alone in the apartment, was surprised to see the
old soldier advance towards him with an air of greater cordiality than he
had ever before assumed to him, but which sat ill on his scowling features.