with which she has treated him, and on which he so much presumes."

"Have others then," said the Abbot, "been counselling her on his imprudence; there must have been. But if her will be in it, admonition may be spared; she hath the headiness of her race, and will take her own way. I am, however, to be again with her in the morning, when I pray St. Mary's help that she may be in a more composed frame!"

The Abbot then parted from him, and Rizzio walked slowly up the gallery. At the farther end he paused for a short time, and then turning round advanced two or three paces, when he halted, and fixing his eyes on the ground, ruminated to the following effect:

"I am like Cæsar when he passed the Rubicon--the report of her favour shown to Chatelard, has determined my course and fate-the tale cannot be recalled--it has had wings --it has spread like an epidemic. I am alarmed at the speed with which it has infected all sorts of the world, the reformed and the unreformed-the good, the bad, the foolish, and the wise--all cry out at her unworthy condescension. Some say there is no bar in the law of Scotland, by which she may not raise him even to sit beside her ;-he has been of late reserved -averse to me, as if he feared some hinderance from me; and he shall too. A shallow talking Frenchman, that hath as little matter in his mind, as there is substance in the rainbow! but I must be wary. The quick infection with which the story hath rushed all abroad, warns me to be wary. Yes; the marriage is the thing. Where shall a fool be found, ductile enough to bend to those who may promote him; fool, indeed, must the husband be of this Queen of rebels, for no better are these irascible Scots. That is, however, a thing not ripe for action ---something bolder on the part of Chatelard must yet be done. and to help it forward be my first business."

CHAPTER LI.

"Oh, how wretched!

Is the poor man that hangs on princes' favours ;
There is between that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have.”

HENRY VIII.

We hope our worthy readers have sagacity enough to discern, that during the transactions in Holyrood House, Knockwhinnie had been taken before the magistrates, where he had given such an account of himself, that it had been deemed necessary to call Southennan before them, and that, as we have described, Auchenbrae was carried with him and surrendered.

He

The delinquents were both ordered to be held in custody for trial; and our hero, seeing no other way of assisting the father of Adelaide, determined, in consequence, to seek the mediation of some of the ecclesiastical dignitaries with the Queen. accordingly returned to his lodgings, and despatched Father Jerome to entreat the good offices of the Abbot of Kilwinning. The result has been related.

Early next morning Southennan went to the Palace, for the purpose of again trying his influence with the Count Dufroy and also of consulting Rizzio. On approaching the portal he met Chatelard, and recollecting what Rizzio had told him of the disposition which the Queen had evinced towards him, he resolved to try what agency he might obtain in him, to second the solicitation for the pardon of Knockwhinnie.

Chatelard was at the time walking towards the gardens; Southennan immediately joined him, and after the compliments of the morning, opened his business, by saying

"It has been observed by all the Court, Chatelard--indeed, you have made no secret of it yourself-how much you are attached to Adelaide."

"Whether there was any thing intentionally ironical in this manner, with which our hero expressed himself, or that Chate

lard, conscious of his artifice, felt it as such, is not for me to determine; but he reddened and appeared disturbed, which Southennan observing, quieted his apprehensions by adding

"But whatever may be your sentiments respecting Adelaide, I have to entreat your aid and service in a matter that deeply concerns her peace of mind, and is very interesting to myself. You are aware of the unfortunate condition of her father?"

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Chatelard, having by this time recovered his self-possession vehemently declared how happy he should be to render even the smallest service to the lady, and his desire to be useful in any degree to one whom he so much esteemed as Southennan. "I doubt not your good-will," replied our hero; "had I not indeed had confidence in it, I should not have ventured to solicit the favour I now wish you to do for both. The Count Dufroy has, in a manner which prevents me from applying to him again, declined to entreat the Queen on behalf of Knockwhinnie, and last night, at my earnest suit the Lord Abbot of Kilwinning undertook, without success, to move the Queen's grace to grant a pardon.

"And would you," said Chatelard, with a smile, and something like exultation in his manner, “ expect me to succeed, where Dufroy deems his interference would be in vain, and so great a man as the Lord Abbot has failed ?"

"The

It has not been exactly so,' said Southennan. Count refuses, not from any question as to the efficacy of his influence, but because he regards the offence of Knockwhinnie as one of those which, for the public safety, should be punished. Moreover, I am informed by my chaplain, who went with the Abbot to the Queen, that her Majesty hath not absolutely denied the pardon. I have therefore thought, as she permits to you the privilege of addressing her more freely, than any other of her attendants, you might find an opportunity of seconding the application of Adelaide."

"I can with sincerity promise you to do all that I may have it in my power to do; but you are aware, from what took place last night, that the Queen is hereafter only to be accessible upon request or summons. Now I doubt if it might not be to offend men of such weight as the Count and the Abbot, were I openly to work in this business."

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Nay," said Southennan, "it matters not how you work after your promise and surely it can never be deemed culpable to be a little zealous in the cause of humanity."

Chatelard appeared for a few seconds to ruminate, and then

he asked, if Adelaide could not obtain a private interview for him with the Queen.

The inquiry startled Southennan: it implied a degree of boldness which seemed to provoke hazard. It was an intrigue of so delicate a kind, that he said

"Would it not seem more consistent with your attachment to Adelaide to offer your service, and by that obtain her assistance. I stand not so fair in her opinion as to offer a suggestion which would come with so much more grace and effect from you. Can you doubt that, showing so much interest for her father, you will not recommend yourself to her affection.' This again touched the tender secret of Chatelard, and he blushed, and was confused; but, recovering himself, he rejoined briskly,

"In sooth, Southennan, I will do my best in the business; but when, or how, must depend upon fortune.'

While they were holding this conversation, the Abbot of Kilwinning, agreeably to his appointment, was admitted to an audience of the Queen; whom he found, as he had anticipated, in a more serene mood than that in which he had left her the preceding evening.

"I have," said her Majesty," thought well of your application, and I have consulted the Chancellor, who speaks wisely, as I think, on the matter. We shall let Knock whinnie abide his trial; he may be acquitted on it but should the result be otherwise, then, without detriment to the motives of our royal mercy, a pardon may be extended, and reason shown wherefore it is granted."

The Abbot commended the discretion of her Majesty; observing, however, that there might be more risk in the consequences of such proceedings on the opinion of the people, than were the affair quietly passed over; "For," said he," Knockwhinnie is firm to his faith, and should he be found guilty, and afterward pardoned, there are not wanting tongues who will despitefully impugn the motives of your Majesty's leniency." Mary acknowledged that she saw the difficulties and the hardships to which she was exposed, and said,

"Would I had not consulted the Chancellor! because, having assented to his advice, I cannot unblamed recede.'

"And yet," replied the Abbot, there cannot be much wrong in doing so; for the Chancellor in substance agrees with the merciful inclinations of your Majesty. In the diseased condition of the time, it were better to pursue the expedient rather than the legal course. The offence of Knock

whinnie happened years ago; it is almost forgotten, but a trial will revive the popular resentment which the deed at first excited. Your Majesty cannot afford to tantalize the rabid public."

"There is good counsel, Father Abbot," replied the Queen pensively," in what you say. And will it not be thought that

my poor Adelaide has obtained from me the pardon?" "The people may be so taught," said the Abbot.

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The Queen made no answer for some time; at last she said, Might it not be as well for me to consult the Prior of St. Andrew's ? He hath always shown himself most anxious to save me from the peril of doing wrong."

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"In that," replied the Abbot, "I would not presume to control your Majesty's inclinations; but he hath leagued himself with the enemies of our holy cause."

The Queen relapsed into her rumination, and after a considerable pause, during which she played with the fingers of her right hand on the table as on a virginal, and her eyes were vacant and abstracted, she rose, and with a graceful and benign smile, said,

"I do not promise to take your advice: but I will think of it, with the wish that mercy may be reconciled with justice in adopting it. This matter, my Lord Abbot, hath within a short time given me much trouble. If by granting the pardon the vexations can be ended, be assured I lack no counselling to quench them. Rest with this assurance; and in the course of the day you shall hear of what I can do."

The Abbot, bowing over her hand, retired without making any reply.

CHAPTER LII.

Well! Heaven's above all; and there be souls that must be saved, and there be souls must not be saved."

OTHELLO.

THE news of Knockwhinnie's arrest and of Auchenbrae's surrender were the topics of the morning among the guests of the Unicorn.-Cornylees had, for some cause or another, been the previous night sorning about the wynds and closses