So may God help us.
"Given with our own hands at Dumbarton, "St.Andrews, Argyll, Huntly, Arbroath, Galloway, Ross, Fleming, Herries, Stirling, Kilwinning, Hamilton, and Saint-Clair, Knight." "And Seyton!" cried Mary, "among all these signatures, I do not see that of my faithful Seyton." Douglas, still kneeling, drew from his breast a second paper, and presented it to the queen with the same marks of respect.

It contained only these few words: "Trust George Douglas; for your Majesty has no more devoted friend in the entire kingdom.
"SEYTON." Mary lowered her eyes to Douglas with an expression which was hers only; then, giving him her hand to raise him-- "Ah!" said she, with a sigh more of joy than of sadness, "now I see that God, in spite of my faults, has not yet abandoned me.

But how is it, in this castle, that you, a Douglas....

oh! it is incredible!" "Madam," replied George, "seven years have passed since I saw you in France for the first time, and for seven years I have loved you".

Mary moved; but Douglas put forth his hand and shook his head with an air of such profound sadness, that she understood that she might hear what the young man had to say.