She stood speechless; those about her were little less moved. The silence hung heavy.
"His late Majesty is also safe," added my lord delicately.
She spoke then.
"I—I thank you."
She tore open her letters, but could not read them.
"Oh, tell me, sir," she said hoarsely.
"Madam, the King hath had a great victory at Boyne Water. Ireland is conquered."
Even as he spoke the bells broke out from a thousand steeples and the guns of the Tower boomed triumph.
"The news is just abroad," said Nottingham.
Mary flushed into a glorious exaltation.