e the
countess of Argyle, her natural sister, with Rizzio, and others of her
servants. The king entered the room by a private passage, and stood
at the back of Mary's chair: Lord Ruthven, George Douglas, and other
conspirators, being all armed, rushed in after him; and the queen of
Scots, terrified with the appearance, demanded of them the reason of
this rude intrusion. They told her, that they intended no violence
against her person; but meant only to bring that villain, pointing to
Rizzio, to his deserved punishment. Rizzio, aware of the danger, ran
behind his mistress, and seizing her by the waist, called aloud to her
for protection; while she interposed in his behalf, with cries, and
menaces, and entreaties. The impatient assassins, regardless of her
efforts, rushed upon their prey, and by overturning every thing which
stood in their way, increased the horror and confusion of the scene.
Douglas, seizing Henry's dagger, stuck it in the body of Rizzio,
who, screaming with fear and agony, was torn from Mary by the other
conspirators, and pushed into the ante-chamber, where he was despatched
with fifty-six wounds.[*]

* Melvil, p. 64. Keith, p. 330, 331. Crawford, p. 9.

The unhappy princess, informed of his fate, immediately dried her tears,
and said, she would weep no more; she would now think of revenge. The
insult, indeed, upon her person; the stain attempted to be fixed on
her honor; the danger to which her life was exposed, on account of her
pregnancy; were injuries so atrocious and so complicated, that they
scarcely left room for pardon, even from the greatest lenity and mercy.

The assassins, apprehensive of Mary's resentment, detained her prisoner
in the palace; and the king dismissed all who seemed willing to attempt
her rescue, by telling them, that nothing was done without his orders,
and that he would be careful of the queen's safety. Murray and the
banished lords appeared two days after; and Mary, whose anger was now
engrossed by injuries more recent and violent, was willingly reconciled
to them; and she even received her brother with tenderness and
affection. They obtained an acquittal from parliament, and were
reinstated in their honors and fortunes. The accomplices also in
Rizzio's murder applied to her for a pardon; but she artfully delayed
compliance, and persuaded them, that so long as she was detained in
custody, and was surrounded by guards, any deed which she should sign
would have no vali