"Ah, bon jour, Monsieur Bothwell!" she replied, with one of her delightful smiles; "how comes it that I see thee only now?"
"Because your majesty is like yonder glorious sun," replied the Earl; "thousands see and admire you, but few are noticed in return."
"Oh, what a hyperbole!" said the Queen, with a sad smile; "that compliment would suit the sunny sphere of Les Tournelles better than Linlithgow."
Memory cast a shade over the Earl's brow; but his cheek glowed with pleasure as the smiling queen continued—
"The vassals of the crown muster gaily for this Border war."
"And still more gaily muster the nobles of the court, to curvet and capriole their steeds before these fair ladies; but, verily, few will venture their gilt armour under dint of spear or whinger for their sake."
"Thinkest thou so—even when Bothwell leads?"
"Yes, adorable madam," replied the Earl, in a low thick voice; "even when Bothwell leads!"
"Had so many chevaliers of crest and coat-armour assembled at Versailles, there would have been many a spear broken in our names to-day.
'For Mary Beatoun, and Mary Seatoun,
And Mary Fleming, and me!'"