Responsive thought struck fire in his eyes. ‘I will ask you this. Will your Grace receive me into the castle? There I could be of service—maybe.’
He watched her intently now—watched until he saw the flag come fluttering down. She lowered her eyes; he could hardly hear her words.
‘No, no. You must not be there. Afterwards—come soon.’ She waited there, hanging on the last word; then rose. ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘it is better that you should go. I will not——’ She spoke wildly. ‘Go, my lord, go.’
He knelt to her before he obeyed; at the door she called him back. Quickly he returned, but she would not look at him.
‘I wish to tell you—as plainly as I can——’ So she began, speaking slowly, feeling for her words. ‘The King shall be there with me—in the castle. It is painful to me—I conceive that you must know it. But I shall do as you advise—that scandal may be averted.’ She strained her arms down, stiffening them, gave an impatient shake of the head. ‘Heaven watch over me! And you, my lord, do you pray. Ah, but you use not prayer!’ She seemed conscious that she was speaking double and he not understanding. It made her angry enough to look at him. ‘Well, well, why are you here still? Go quickly, I say—go.’
Go he did, a puzzling, excited man.
Before he left the city he saw his brother-in-law, Lord Huntly, for a moment. ‘Geordie,’ he said, ‘I’m for the Border. I’m going to my wife. Are you for yours or do you stay here?’
‘I stay.’
‘You may be wise. I am going to my wife—and I may be wise. God knows that I know not. I have not seen her for five months.’
Lord Huntly had no answer. He had not seen his for over a year. Presently Bothwell makes another cast.