下载辰思小说免费APP
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！“
“Braveandloyalheart！“criedMary，“moreconstantlydevotedtomisfortunethanothersaretoprosperity！Yes，Ishallhavepatienceandcourage，andsolongasthatlightshinesIshallstillbelieveinliberty。“
Thisletterrestoredtothequeenallherformercourage：shehadmeansofcommunicationwithGeorgethroughLittleDouglas；fornodoubtitwashewhohadthrownthatstone。Shehastened，inherturn，towritealettertoGeorge，inwhichshebothchargedhimtoexpresshergratitudetoallthelordswhohadsignedtheprotestation；andbeggedthem，inthenameofthefidelitytheyhadsworntoher，nottocoolintheirdevotion，promisingthem，forherpart，toawaittheresultwiththatpatienceandcouragetheyaskedofher。
Thequeenwasnotmistaken：nextday，asshewasatherwindow，LittleDouglascametoplayatthefootofthetower，and，withoutraisinghishead，stoppedjustbeneathhertodigatraptocatchbirds。Thequeenlookedtoseeifshewereobserved，andassuredthatthatpartofthecourtyardwasdeserted。sheletfailthestonewrappedinherletter：atfirstshefearedtohavemadeaseriouserror；forLittleDouglasdidnoteventurnatthenoise，anditwasonlyafteramoment，duringwhichtheprisoner’sheartwastornwithfrightfulanxiety，thatindifferently，andasifhewerelookingforsomethingelse，thechildlaidhishandonthestone，andwithouthurrying，withoutraisinghishead，withoutindeedgivinganysignofintelligencetoherwhohadthrownit，heputtheletterinhispocket，finishingtheworkhehadbegunwiththegreatestcalm，andshowingthequeen，bythiscoolnessbeyondhisyears，whatrelianceshecouldplaceinhim。
>Fromthatmomentthequeenregainedfreshhope；butdays，weeks，monthspassedwithoutbringinganychangeinhersituation：wintercame；theprisonersawsnowspreadovertheplainsandmountains，andthelakeaffordedher，ifshehadonlybeenabletopassthedoor，afirmroadtogaintheotherbank；butnolettercameduringallthistimetobringhertheconsolingnewsthattheywerebusyaboutherdeliverance；thefaithfullightaloneannouncedtohereveryeveningthatafriendwaskeepingwatch。
Soonnatureawokefromherdeath-sleep：someforwardsun-raysbrokethroughthecloudsofthissombreskyofScotland；thesnowmelted，thelakebrokeitsice-crust，thefirstbudsopened，thegreenturfreappeared；everythingcameoutofitsprisonatthejoyousapproachofspring，anditwasagreatgrieftoMarytoseethatshealonewascondemnedtoaneternalwinter。
Atlast；oneevening，
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