"I thought that in the division of my spoils Rosabelle had fallen to the fair Alice, my brother's favourite sultana ?" "Yes, yes," said Mary Seyton, "it was so; and as her value was known, she was kept under lock and key by an army of grooms; but Douglas is the man of miracles, and, as I have told you, Rosabelle awaits your Majesty." "Noble Douglas!" murmured the queen, with eyes full of tears; then, as if speaking to herself, "And this is precisely one of those devotions that we can never repay.

The others will be happy with honours, places, money; but to Douglas what matter all these things ?" "Come, madam, come," said Mary Seyton, "God takes on Himself the debts of kings; He will reward Douglas.

As to your Majesty, reflect that they are waiting dinner for you.

I hope," added she, smiling, "that you will not affront my father as you did Lord Douglas yesterday in refusing to partake of his feast on his fortunate home-coming." "And luck has come to me for it, I hope," replied Mary.

"But you are right, darling: no more sad thoughts; we will consider when we have indeed become queen again what we can do for Douglas." The queen dressed and went down.