and Little Douglas, who were fishing. However great her wish to profit
by this fine evening to breathe the pure night air, the sight of this
young man who had so grossly insulted her this very day made such a keen
impression on her that she shut her window directly, and, retiring into
her room, went to bed, and made her companion in captivity read several
prayers aloud; then, not being able to sleep, so greatly was she
agitated, she rose, and throwing on a mantle went again to the window the
boat had disappeared.

Mary spent part of the night gazing into the immensity of the heavens, or
into the depths of the lake; but in spite of the nature of the thoughts
agitating her, she none the less found very great physical alleviation in
contact with this pure air and in contemplation of this peaceful and
silent night: thus she awoke next day calmer and more resigned.
Unfortunately, the sight of Lady Lochleven, who presented herself at
breakfast-time, to fulfil her duties as taster, brought back her
irritability. Perhaps, however, things would have gone on smoothly if
Lady Lochleven, instead of remaining standing by the sideboard, had
withdrawn after having tasted the various dishes of the courses; but this
insisting on remaining throughout the meal, which was at bottom a mark of
respect, seemed to the queen unbearable tyranny.

"Darling," said she, speaking to Mary Seyton, "have you already forgotten
that our good hostess complained yesterday of the fatigue she felt inn
standing? Bring her, then, one of the two stools which compose our royal
furniture, and take care that it is not the one with the leg broken".
"If the furniture of Lochleven Castle is in such bad condition, madam,"
the old lady replied, "it is the fault of the kings of Scotland: the poor
Douglases for nearly a century have had such a small part of their
sovereigns' favour, that they have not been able to keep up the splendour