The queen had told no one how the information reached her.

The fact that Mary was in England was all sufficient for Cecil, and he proceeded to execute the order Elizabeth had given for Mary's arrest, without asking or desiring any explanation.
I, of course, was in great distress for John's sake, since I knew that he would be attainted of treason.

I had sought in vain some plan whereby I might help him, but found none.

I, myself, being a Scottish refugee, occupied no safe position, and my slightest act toward helping John or Mary would be construed against me.
When I entered Dorothy's room, she ran to me and said: "Can you help me, Malcolm?
Can you help me save him from this terrible evil which I have brought upon him ?" "How did you bring the evil upon him ?" I asked, in astonishment.

"It was not your fault that he brought Mary Stuart to--" "No, no," she answered; "but I told the queen she was at Rutland." "You told the queen ?" I exclaimed, unwilling to believe my ears.