Where was he then to-day?
As she looked around the room with an inquiring and surprised air, her eye fell on that paper which lay there on the floor.
She picked it up, and examined it with childish curiosity.

What could this paper contain?
Surely it was no secret--else, it would not lie here on the floor.
She opened it and read.

Her fine countenance expressed horror and amazement; a low exclamation escaped her lips.

But Elizabeth had a strong and resolute soul; and the unexpected and the surprising did not dull her clear vision, nor cloud her sharp wit.

The queen was in danger.
The queen was to be imprisoned.