Thus she played upon his terrors, so that he would not be
dismissed until she had promised that she would consider and seek
some means of saving him, enjoining him meanwhile to keep strict
watch upon himself and see that he betrayed nothing of his
thoughts.

She left him to the chastening of a sleepless night, then sent for
him betimes on Monday morning, and bade him repair to the lords
and tell them that realizing herself a prisoner in their hands she
was disposed to make terms with them. She would grant them pardon
for what was done if on their side they undertook to be loyal
henceforth and allowed her to resume her liberty.

The message startled him. But the smile with which she followed
it was reassuring.

"There is something else you are to do," she said, "if we are to
turn the tables on these traitorous gentlemen. Listen." And she
added matter that begat fresh hope in Darnley's despairing soul.

He kissed her hands, lowly now and obedient as a hound that had
been whipped to heel, and went below to bear her message to the
lords.

Morton and Ruthven heard him out, but betrayed no eagerness to
seize the opportunity.

"All this is but words that we hear," growled Ruthven , who lay
stretched upon a couch, grimly suffering from the disease that