"What Darnley has dared to promise—here, ay—here in this very chamber!"
"Go to, woman! thou art stark mad, and he had been drunk, like a fool as he is. But let us not quarrel, pretty sweetheart; for seest thou"——and here the Earl whispered something in the ear of the woman, whose eyes were lighted with a malicious smile as she surveyed Anna. "Thou wilt see to this? I know thee of old, sweet dulcibelle—eh?"
"My lord, when thou art good to me, I will obey thy pleasure in all things."
"And now tell me what news are abroad in the city, for I have not been within its gates yet?"
"Nought but Bothwell's expedition to the borders, and the queen's wrath at the luke-warm loyalty and cautious valour of such as thee, and thy boon-fellow the Earl of Moray."
Morton smiled, as he patted her painted cheek, and said—
"Thou art sarcastic, and out of humour, sweet mistress; what lackest thou?"
"A runlet of right Rhenish to bathe me in. Thou knowest, Lord Earl, that all the great ladies of our court bathe so; for its powers, say physicians, are miraculous on the skin."
"Thou shalt have the Rhenish, only excuse me, I pray, ever drinking any of that wine with thee thereafter. Any thing more?"
"Perfume: I lack some, and must have it from Monsieur Picauet."