After a few minutes she ran back to the queen, having an undefined purpose of doing something to avert the consequences of her mad act.

She at first thought to tell the queen that the Information she had given concerning Mary Stuart's presence in Rutland was false, but she well knew that a lie seldom succeeds; and in this case, even through her clouded mentality, she could see that a lie would surely fail.

She determined to beg the queen to spare John's life.

She did not know exactly what she would do, but she hoped by the time she should reach the queen's room to hit upon some plan that would save him.

When she knocked at Elizabeth's door it was locked against her.