"Madam," said he, "I wished to speak with your Majesty alone: shall I not
obtain this favour?"

"Mary Seyton is not a stranger to me, Sir: she is my sister, my friend;
she is more than all that, she is my companion in captivity."

"And by all these claims, madam, I have the utmost veneration for her;
but what I have to tell you cannot be heard by other ears than yours.
Thus, madam, as the opportunity furnished now may perhaps never present
itself again, in the name of what is dearest to you, grant me what I
ask."

There was such a tone of respectful prayer in George's voice that Mary
turned to the young girl, and, making her a friendly sign with her hand--

"Go, then, darling," said she; "but be easy, you will lose nothing by not
hearing. Go."

Mary Seyton withdrew; the queen smilingly looked after her, till the door
was shut; then, turning to George--

"Now, sir," said she, "we are alone, speak."

But George, instead of replying, advanced to the queen, and, kneeling on
one knee, drew from his breast a paper which he presented to her. Mary
took it with amazement, unfolded it, glancing at Douglas, who remained in
the same posture, and read as follows:

We, earls, lords, and barons, in consideration that our queen is detained