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* the’ same. time dashing -aside her tears; “«
79
+¢ Peace, Charles!” said his mother, in. an -affec-
tionate and subdued tone; «we are captives now,
and must submit!” ‘Turning to Lady: Howard,
she ‘added :- Let me know. the worst! From girl:
hood I could ever endure: misfortune better than
suspense. {The news you bring touches the welfare
of my son, the King of Scotland ? Pook ty
«Of Lord Henry Darnley,” said Lady Howard,
who was far too prudent, and too much of a cour-
tier, to give, even in private, a title to the late hus-
band of the Queen of Scots which her royal mistress
had ‘not only ‘refused .to acknowledge, but com-
manded never to be pronounced-in her presence.
«‘ Tsay of the King of Scots!” exclaimed Charles
Lennox, passionately. “King he is, and king: he
will? remain, despite the red- haired ; daughter of
Anne Boleyn !”? : 5
“My boy—my: boy exclaimed “the countess,
passionately, »her. mother’s. heart at- that moment
taking but little heed of earthly titles and distinc-
tions; Henry is ill? For God's sake, Howerd,
say that he is only ill, and I will bless you !’””
Instead of trying to disengage herself from the
grasp of the speaker, the messenger of sorrow press-
ed her yet closer 3 in her arms, and whispered in her
“Alas! there. ig:a son, in heaven who prays for
his* mother in captivity | Mary of Scotland is a
widow !”?. >
“Dead! -my- “brother. dead !” eaid the youthful
prisoner; “then he has been murder red}
Lady Howard remained silent. ¢
Right, boy!” exclained the mother, sternly, at
e has
been! murdered! - We will weep for him when we
have avenged him: till then it would’ be mockery!
Tell -me,” she added, turning toward the lady How- |
ard, «« who is a- mother’s lips to;curse for this?
Who has ‘robbed her.of her elder} born—the pride
of-her fond heart ?.-.But why do I ask? The
daughter of Aune Boleyn reigns in England! May
every, ——".
«Hold !”” gravely “pronounced the confidant of
Slizabeth, interrupting her ; « charge not your soul
with. such: injustice! Her majesty has not only
expressed the utmost indignation at the attrocious
deed, but instructed her ambassador to demand the
punishment of the perpetrators. The courtesan,””
she continued with a hesitating glance, «is, I fear,
too’ highly placed. for human | justice yet to reach
her!”
t
Name her—name. her! » exclaimed both the pri-
soners,
“Mary Stuart,’ Queen” Regent of Scotland: was
the reply—which from that moment became indeli-
bly; impressed upon: the heart ‘of the Countess of
Lennox, who never could be induced to believe her
innocent, but demanded vengence on her at the
hands of Elizabeth, to the last. { :
-The impression which the messenger rof the queen
was “intended to convey was clearly made. The
same evening Elizabeth sent her!own physician,
and a divine from her own chapel, to: visit her cap-
tive cousin, whom a few days afterw: ard she restored
to Uberty, and ‘apparently to to favor.: :
“CMAPTER XL. qo
. _ Gone to be married—false blood to false blood
7d. MAK SEPERE.
THe crowning “act of weakness ‘and- folly—but
we still believe not of guilt—of the unfortunate
Mary Stewart's life was her marriage with the Earl
of Bothwell, who in the eyes of her own subjects,
as well as those of Europe, was the mourderer of
Henry Darnley.’
_This ill-assorted “union was followed by violent
commotions in Scotland.’ Murray | and the rebel
lords, taking advantage of the queen’s unpopularity,
at once appealed to arms. . The partisans of Mary
were few and dispirited ; consequently, the contest
was neither long nor doubtful. The royal forces
were defeated ;, and, after, being exposed to the in-
sults of her rebellious people, Mary Stuart was sent
a prisoner to the Castle of Lochleven, where an act
of abdication was forced from her by the unmanly
violence of Lord Ruthven, who absolately : seized
her by the wrist to compel her to write her name.
The resentment of Elizabeth towards her hapless
cousin was amply gratified.’ Her throne was shat-
iered—the crown’ rent from her brow, and transfer-
red to an infant's, and the” government of the coun-
try in the’ hands of Murray and his’ confederates,
who had long been in the pay of England.‘ aa
But if the hatred of the woman was satisfied, the
prudence of the sovereign was alarmed. The ex-
ample of deposing an independent sovereign, whose
sitle to the possession of her crown had never been
disputed, was too near her own doors to be pleasant;
and she directed her ambassadors not only to con-
ting her hospitality and protection.
sole the captive queen, but. offer, i in nt name, tenn
Temonstrances to her rebellious subjects: - aka %
: Throginorton, who. then -represented the maiden
queen in Scotland, appears to, have falfilled his in-
sictions with zeal and ability. ,
tthe same time, Elizabeth wrote the’ following
letter to.the Queen. Mother and Regent of France
Catharine de Medicis... It was copied from the ar»
chives of St. Petersburg, by permission jof the pre
sent Emperor of Russia, and first published by Miss
Agnes Strickland, whose researches and writings
refiect an honor both upon her sex and country,
especially when the tact,and delicacy with which
she has treated certain portions of history are. con-
sidered.
- We are proud to offer this tribute of admiration
to > her labors. rn ,
“ “Oct. 16, 1587.
“ Having learned by your letter, madaine, of which
Monsieur Pasquier is the bearer, your honorable in-
tention. and that. of the king, my brother, on the
art of my desolate cousin, ‘the Queen of Scots, I
rejoice me very much to see that. one prince takes
to heart the wrongs done to another, having a ha-
tred to that metamorphosis, where the head is re-
moved to the foot, and the heels held the highest
place. I promise you, “madame, that even if my
consanguinity did not constrain me to wish her all
honor, her example would seem too terrible for
neighbors to behold, and for all princes to hear.
These evils often resemble the noxious influence of
some baleful planet, which, commencing in one
place, without. the good power, might well fall in
another, not that (God be thanked!) I have any
doubts on my. part, wishing that neither the king,
my brother, nor any other prince had more cause to
chastise their bad subjects, than I have to avenge
myself on mine, which are always as faithful to me
as I could desire ; notwithstanding which I never
fail to condole with those princes who have cause
to be angry. Even those troubles that formerly be-
gan with the king have vexed me before now.
. Monsieur Pasquier | (as I believe) thinks I have
no French, by the passions of laughter into which
he throws me, by the formal precision with which
he speaks and expresses himself.
“Besecching you, madame, if I can at this time
do you any pleasure, you will Iet me know, that J
may acquit myself as a good friend on your part.
In the mean time, I cannot cease to pray the Crea-
tor to guard the king and yourself from your bad
subjects, and to have you always in his holy care.
“In haste, at Hampton Court, this 16th of Octo-
ber, (1567.)
“Your good sister and cousin,
“ EvIZaBETH.”
How the infamous Catharine, whose crimes have
rendered her notorious, must have sneered as she
read the epistle—knowing, as she. did, the hatred
which the writer entertained towards the unhappy
Queen of Sco
The abject ‘ft Elizabeth’ s marriage with the arch-
duke was again renewed. Sussex, who was am-
bassador to the imperial court, wrote his mistress
several amusing letters touching the prince’s person
and character. The match, however, was ultimately
broken off on account of the difference of religion :
his imperial highness refusing to abandon the reli-
ion of his ancestors, even for the crown matrimo-
nial of England; and Elizabeth was far too politic
to weaken the hold she possessed upon the affec-
tions of her subjects.
It would be digressing : from our present labors
were we to enter more into the details of the life of
Mary. We must content ourselves, therefore, with
touching upon such points as bring her into imme-
diate contact with Elizabeth... ° +
The Queen of Scots, aseisted by George Douglas
and others of her friends, contrived to escape from
the Castle of Lochleven, where she was a prisoner,
and rally round her standard the devoted adherents
which remained to her.) =. ‘+
Unhappily the forces of the rebels vanquished her
troops at the Battle of Langside, She would have
retired to Dumbarton, but her, retreat was cut off.
In:this dilemma she wrote to Elizabeth, entreat-
The resolution
was a’ fatal one—fatal alike to. the honor-of the
princess to whor she appealed, and to her own hap-
piness.
Aw a further means of touching the, heart of her
royal kinswoman, Mary sent back to her a token, in
e shape of a diamond. heart, which her cousin‘had
formesly sent to her.
Mary crossed the. Frith of Solw ay, attended only
by Lord Herries and a few domestics ; and on the
15th of May landed on the coast.of Cumberlind.
Being honorably welcomed -by the gentry, of the
north, she proceeded at duce to Carlisle, from which
piace ‘she despatched letters to Elizabeth, whose joy
.| at hearing of the step her imprudent rival had taken,
could only be equalled by the mortification she en-
dured by tke honorable reception she had met with
fromthe gentry of Cumberland, and tie sympathy
which her misfortunes appeared to excite amongst
the high nobility of the kingdom. *
At a’ council held immediately upon the receipt
of the important intelligence of Mary being in Eng-
land, it was resolved to send Lord ‘Seroop and Sir -
Francis Knollys to congratulate her in the name of
Elizabeth. The messengers were to be accom-
panied by a strong body of troops.
was related to Elizabeth, and entirely trusted by
her, attended, at her command, previous to starting,
to receive her last instructions. '
He found her in the cabinet of Westminster, j in A
the most feverish excitement; triumph, anger, cun-
ning, and pride, by turns reigned paramount in her
eart. The voice of pity or honor was not heard—
the ears of the royal virgin were deaf to their sup-
plications.
“So Knollys !" she exclamed, as soon as her
kinsman entered the room, “you are prepared to
start?”
‘Knollys, who °
“ At your highness's gracious pleasure? ” replied
the courtly knight.
«Can you rely upon your men %”
On all, may it please your majesty,”
« Have you received the instructions of the coun-
cil!”
“y have, gracious madam ! ! was the reply :
«« Now, then, hear mine!” said Elizabeth, sinking
her voice, as if she feared to trust even the echo of
the old palace of Westminster. with her secret
thoughts. “I need not tell you to be faithfal, for I
have tried and proved you!”
Sir Francis bowed low at the cominendation of
his sovereign, who, during her long reign was as
chary of her praise as of the honors which she so
rarely bestowed.
“You will congratulate ’’—and the royal speaker
laid a marked emphasis upon the word—* our dea!
cousin in our name, and tend her with. all honors
at Carlisle.”
“All, honor, madam ! !? observed Sir .Francis.
“If it may please you, that is no precise instruction.
Am I to treat the fugitive Mary as a Queen or pri-
vate personage ?”
“As a queen!” answered Elizabeth ; then added,
with a sarcastic smile, ‘ at least for the present.”
“Tn that case, madam,” resumed the knight, who
shrewdly guessed why he had been selected for the
office, “Tam to consider her majesty aS a FREE
AGENT :
“ Tn. appearance, Knollys—in appearance :.,
“The charge you have honored me with, gracious
sovereign,” said her kinsman, “is no easy one.
Pardon me if I add, that, to execute it to your royal
satisfaction, I must have explicit orders from “your
own lips
“ Speak ! ! ‘said the queen.
‘Should Mary attempt to return to Scotland, or
retire to France ?”
“ Arrest her!” exclaimed Elizabeth, without. a
moment's, hesitation | “and conduct her at once to
the Tower!’
“To the Tower, madam ! repeated the astonished
knight; ‘your own kinswoman—an anointed sove-
reign! I dare not, even on your word, be guilty of
so bold an act!”
~~“ How! sirrah !”-
“Unless, added Sir Francis, “ ‘by an ‘order under
your royal hand. In that case, I would. arrest the
pope or empcror himself!”
, The speaker, who well knew the character of his
august but politic mistress, was aware that, should
it become necessary for her plans, she would nof
hesitate an instant to disavow and punish him for:
an act she had herself commanded, unless he were’
furnished with written proof that he had acted in
strict obedience to her orders.
hou arta'precise fellow! 1 resumed the queen; ;
“ but I understand thee! Shame, Francis, to
doubt the faith of thy sovereign and cousin !”
vy
Having written and sealed the order, with her .
signet, Elizabeth placed the order in his hands—ac-
companied with a caution that it was not to be used
or produced except upon emergency.
That same night, accompanied by Lord’ Scroop,
and attended bya troop of herte, Sir ‘Francis started .
for Carlisle.
CHAPTER. XLIV.
Sincerity, thou first of virtues, Ist
No mortal leave thy onward pat :
Though from the gulph inet ‘destruction ery,
To take dissimulation’s winding
‘Trey have our great moralists observed, | thet
crime is ever the parent of crime. No sooner do