"Yes, madame."
"Ah, mon Dieu!—dear, dear France!" she exclaimed; "and you were there how long?"
"Seven happy years, lady."
"In the army, of course?"
"No."
"At the court of Henry of Valois?"
"No—with Anne de la Tour."
"The Duchess of Albany—a proud and haughty old widow."
"But a mistress kind and gentle to me. I had the honour to kiss King Henry's hand on my way home through Paris."
"Had you any letters or messages for Scotland?" asked the lady anxiously.