ascended about the height of one story, the guide stepped aside, and pushed open the door of a dark and gloomy anti-chamber; so dark indeed, that his youthful companion stumbled, and nearly fell down upon a low step, which was awkwardly placed on the on the very threshold.

«Take heed,» said Michael Wing-the-wind, in a very low tone of voice, and first glancing cautiously round to see if any one listened — « Take heed, my young friend, for those who fall on these boards seldom rise again—Seest thou that, » he added, in a still lower voice, pointing to some dark crimson stains on the floor, on which a ray of light shot through a small aperture, and traversing the general gloom of the apartment, fell with mottled radiance-« Seest thou that, youth? -walk warily, for men have fallen here before you."

What mean you?» said the page, his flesh creeping, though he scarce knew why; «Is it blood?"

«Ay, ay," said the domestic, in the same whispering tone, and dragging the youth on by the arm-« Blood it is,—but this is no time to question, or even to look at it. Blood it is, foully and fearfully shed-as foully and fearfully avenged. The blood," he added, in a still more cautious tone, « of Seignior David.»>

Roland Græme's heart throbbed when he found himself so unexpectedly in the scene of Rizzio's slaughter, a catastrophe which had chilled with horror all even in that rude age, which

had been the theme of wonder and pity through every cottage and castle in Scotland, and had not escaped that of Avenel. But his guide hurried him forward, permitting no further question, and with the manner of one who has already tampered too much with a dangerous subject. A tap which he made at a low door at one end of the vestibule, was answered by a huissier or usher, who, opening it cautiously, received Michael's intimation that a page waited the Regent's leisure, who brought letters from the Knight of Avenel.

"

« The Council is breaking up," said the usher; « but give me the packet, his grace the Regent will presently see the messenger.>>

« The packet,» replied the page, « must be delivered into the Regent's own hands; such were the orders of my master."

The usher looked at him from head to foot, as if surprised at his boldness, and then replied, with some asperity, « Say you so, my young master? Thou crowest loudly to be but a chicken, and from a country barn-yard too.">

«Were it a time or place," said Roland, «thou shouldst see I can do more than crow; but do your duty, and let the Regent know I wait his pleasure.>>

<< Thou art but a pert knave to tell me of my duty," said the courtier in office; «but I will find a time to shew you you are out of yours; meanwhile wait there till you are wanted.» So saying, he shut the door in Roland's face.

come up

Michael Wing-the-wind, who had shrunk from his youthful companion during this altercation, according to the established maxim of courtiers of all ranks, and in all ages, now transgressed their prudential line of conduct so far as to to him once more. << Thou art a hopeful young springald,» said he, « and I see right well old Yorkshire had reason in his caution. Thou hast been five minutes in the court, and hast employed thy time so well, as to make a powerful and a mortal enemy out of the usher of the council-chamber. Why, man, you might almost as well have offended the deputy-butler.»

<< I care not what he is," said Roland Græme; « I will teach whomsoever I speak with, to speak civilly to me in return. I did not come from Avenel to be brow-beaten in Holyrood.»

« Bravo, my lad!» said Michael; « it is a fine spirit if you can but hold it--but see, the door

opens."

The usher appeared, and, in a more civil tone of voice and manner, said, that his Grace the Regent would receive the Knight of Avenel's message; and accordingly marshalled Roland Græme the way into the apartment, from which the Council had been just dismissed, after finishing their consultations. There was in the room a long oaken table, surrounded by stools of the same wood, with a large elbow chair, covered with crimson velvet, at the head. Writing materials and papers were lying there in apparent disorder; and one or two of the privy counsel

lors who had lingered behind, assuming their cloaks, bonnets, and swords, and bidding farewell to the Regent, were departing slowly by a large door, on the opposite side to that through which the page entered. Apparently the Earl of Murray had made some jest, for the smiling countenances of the statesmen expressed that sort of cordial reception which is paid by courtiers to the condescending pleasantries of a prince.

The Regent himself was laughing heartily as he said, «Farewell, my lords, and hold me remembered to the Cock of the North.» - He then turned slowly round towards Roland Græme, and the marks of gaiety, real or assumed, disappeared from his countenance, as completely as the passing bubbles leave the dark mirror of a still profound lake into which a traveller has cast a stone in the course of a minute his noble features had assumed their natural expression of deep and even melancholy gravity.

This distinguished statesman, for as such his worst enemies acknowledged him, possessed all the external dignity, as well as almost all the noble qualities, which could grace the power that he enjoyed; and had he succeeded to the throne as his legitimate inheritance, it is probable he would have been recorded as one of Scotland's wisest and greatest kings. But that he held his authority by the deposition and imprisonment of his sister and benefactress, was a

crime which those only can excuse who think ambition an apology for ingratitude. He was dressed plainly in black velvet, after the Flemish fashion, and wore in his high-crowned hat a jewelled clasp, which looped it up on one side, and formed the only ornament of his apparel. He had his poniard by his side, and his sword lay on the council table.

Such was the personage before whom Roland Græme now presented himself, with a feeling of breathless awe, very different from the usual boldness and vivacity of his temper. In fact, he was, from education and nature, forward but not impudent, and was much more easily controulled by the moral superiority, arising from the elevated talents and renown of those with whom he conversed, than by pretensions founded only on rank or external shew. He might have braved with indifference the presence of an earl, merely distinguished by his belt and coronet; but he felt overawed in that of the eminent soldier and statesman, the wielder of a nation's power and the leader of her armies. The greatest and wisest are flattered by the deference of youth-so graceful and becoming in itself; and Murray took, with much courtesy, the letter from the hands of the abashed and blushing page, and answered with complaisance to the imperfect and half-muttered greeting which he endeavoured to deliver to him on the part of Sir Halbert of Avenel. He even paused a moment ere he broke the silk with which the