AsWilliamDouglashadsaid，fromthistimeforwardthequeenwasaprisonerindeed，andpermissiontogodownintothegardenwasnolongergrantedbutunderthesurveillanceoftwosoldiers；butthisannoyanceseemedtohersounbearablethatshepreferredtogiveuptherecreation，which，surroundedwithsuchconditions，becameatorture。Sosheshutherselfupinherapartments，findingacertainbitterandhaughtypleasureintheveryexcessofhermisfortune。
CHAPTERVII
Aweekaftertheeventswehaverelated，asnineo’clockintheeveninghadjustsoundedfromthecastlebell，andthequeenandMarySeytonweresittingatatablewheretheywereworkingattheirtapestry，astonethrownfromthecourtyardpassedthroughthewindowbars，brokeapaneofglass，andfellintotheroom。Thequeen’sfirstideawastobelieveitaccidentaloraninsult；butMarySeyton，turninground，noticedthatthestonewaswrappedupinapaper：sheimmediatelypickeditup。ThepaperwasaletterfromGeorgeDouglas，conceivedintheseterms：
“Youhavecommandedmetolive，madam：Ihaveobeyed，andyourMajestyhasbeenabletotell，fromtheKinrosslight，thatyourservantscontinuetowatchoveryou。However，nottoraisesuspicion，thesoldierscollectedforthatfatalnightdispersedatdawn，andwillnotgatheragaintillafreshattemptmakestheirpresencenecessary。But，alas！torenewthisattemptnow，whenyourMajesty’sgaolersareontheirguard，wouldbeyourruin。Letthemtakeeveryprecaution，then，madam；letthemsleepinsecurity，whilewe，we，inourdevotion，shallgoonwatching。
“Patienceandcourage！“