Douglas, who had hitherto remained in a state of apparent apathy, had made a stride from the door, as if to interfere. The rude baron then quitted his hold, disguising the confusion which he really felt at having indulged his passion to such extent, under a sullen and contemptuous smile. The Queen immediately began, with an expression of pain, to bare the arm which he had grasped, by drawing up the sleeve of her gown, and it appeared that his grasp had left the purple marks of his iron fingers upon her flesh"My lord," she said, «< as a knight and gentleman, you might have spared my frail arm so severe a proof that you have the greater strength on your side, and are resolved to use it. But I thank you for it-it is the most decisive token of the terms on which this day's business is to rest. -I draw you to witness, both lords and ladies," she said, shewing the marks of the grasp on her arm, «< that I subscribe these instruments in obedience to the sign manual of my Lord of Lindesay, which you may see imprinted on mine arm.» Lindesay would have spoken, but was restrained by his colleague Ruthven, who said to bim, «Peace, my lord. Let the Lady Mary of Scotland ascribe her signature to what she will, it is our business to procure it, and to carry it to the Council. Should there be debate hereafter on the manner in which it was adhibited, there will be time enough for it." Lindesay was silent accordingly, only muttering within his beard, « I meant not to hurt her; but I think women's flesh be as tender as newfallen snow.» The Queen meanwhile subscribed the rolls of parchment with a hasty indifference, as if they had been matters of slight consequence, or of mere formality. When she had performed this painful task, she arose, and, having curtsied to the lords, was about to withdraw to her chamber. Ruthven and Sir Robert Melville made, the first a formal reverence, the second an obeisance, in which his desire to acknowledge his sympathy was obviously checked by the fear of appearing in the eyes of his colleagues too partial to his former mistress. But Lindesay stood motionless, even when they were preparing to withdraw. At length, as if moved by a sudden impulse, he walked round the table which had hitherto been betwixt them and the Queen, kneeled on one knee, took her hand, kissed it, let it fall, and arose-« Lady," he said, « thou art a noble creature, even though thou hast abused God's choicest gifts. I pay that devotion to thy manliness of spirit, which I would not have paid to the power thou hast long undeservedly wielded-I kneel to Mary Stuart, not to the Queen.» << The Queen and Mary Stuart pity thee alike, Lindesay," said Mary « alike they pity, and they forgive thee. An honoured soldier hadst thou been by a king's side-leagued with rebels, what art thou but a good blade in the hands of a ruffian?— Farewell, my Lord Ruthven, the smoother but the deeper traitor. - Farewell, Melville. Mayst thou find masters that can understand state policy better, and have the means to reward it more richly than Mary Stuart. - Farewell, George of Douglas - make your respected grand-dame comprehend that we would be alone for the remainder of the day-God wot, we have need to collect our thoughts.» All bowed and withdrew; but scarce had they entered the vestibule, ere Ruthven and Lindesay were at variance. « Chide not with me, Ruthven,» Lindesay was heard to say, in answer to something more indistinctly urged by his colleague- Chide not with me, for I will not brook it!--You put the hangman's office on me in this matter, and even the very hangman hath leave to ask some pardon of those on whom he does his office. I would I had as deep cause to be this lady's friend as I have to be her enemy -thou shouldst see if I spared limb and life in her quarrel.» « Thou art a sweet minion," said Ruthven, « to fight a lady's quarrel, and all for a brent brow and a tear in the eye! Such toys have been out of thy thoughts this many a year.» « Do me right, Ruthven,» said Lindesay. «You are like a polished corslet of steel; it shines more gaudily, but it is not a whit softer-nay, it is five times harder than a Glasgow breast plate of hammered iron. Enough, we know each other." They descended the stairs, were heard to summon their boats, and the Queen signed to Roland Græme to retire to the vestibule, and leave her with her female attendants. CHAPTER VIII. Give me a morsel on the greensward rather, The Woodsman, a Drama. A RECESS in the vestibule was enlightened by a small window, at which Roland Græme stationed himself to mark the departure of the lords. He could see their followers mustering on horseback under their respective bannersthe western sun glancing on their corslets and steel caps as they moved to and fro, mounted or dismounted, at intervals. On the narrow space betwixt the castle and the water, the Lords Ruthven and Lindesay were already moving slowly to their boats, accompanied by the Lady of Lochleven, her grandson, and their principal attendants. They took a ceremonious leave of each other, as Roland could discern by their gestures, and the boats put off from the landingplace; the boatmen stretched to their oars, and they speedily diminished upon the eye of the |