The girl felt safe in making these promises, since she was sure that John knew nothing of a treasonable character.

The queen, thinking that she had adroitly led Dorothy up to making the offer, said, “I accept the conditions.  Be in readiness to visit Sir John, upon my command.”

Thus the compact was sealed, and the queen, who thought herself wise, was used by the girl, who thought herself simple.

For the purpose of hiding her exultation, Dorothy appeared to be ill, but when the queen passed out at the door and closed it behind her, the girl sprang from the bed and danced around the room as if she were a bear-baiter.  From the depths of despair she flew to the pinnacle of hope.  She knew, however, that she must conceal her happiness; therefore she went back to bed and waited impatiently the summons of Elizabeth requiring her to go to John.

But now I must pause to tell you of my troubles which followed so swiftly upon the heels of my fault that I was fairly stunned by them.  My narrative will be brief, and I shall soon bring you back again to Dorothy.

Queen Mary had no sooner arrived at Haddon Hall than she opened an attack upon Leicester, somewhat after the same plan, I suppose, which she had followed with me in the coach.  She could no more easily resist inviting homage from men than a swallow can refrain from flying.  Thus, from inclination and policy, she sought Leicester and endeavored by the pleasant paths of her blandishments to lead him to her cause.  There can be no doubt concerning Leicester’s wishes in the premises.  Had Mary’s cause held elements of success, he would have joined her; but he feared Elizabeth, and he hoped some day to share her throne.  He would, however, prefer to share the throne with Mary.

Mary told him of her plans and hopes.  She told him that I had ridden with Dorothy for the purpose of rescuing John and herself, and that I had promised to help her to escape to France.  She told him she would use me for her tool in making her escape, and would discard me when once she should be safe out of England.  Then would come Leicester’s turn.  Then should my lord have his recompense, and together they would regain the Scottish crown.

How deeply Leicester became engaged in the plot I cannot say, but this I know:  through fear of Elizabeth, or for the purpose of winning her favor, he unfolded to our queen all the details of Mary’s scheme, together with the full story of my ride with Dorothy to Rutland, and my return with Dorothy and Mary in the coach.  Thereupon Mary was placed under strict guard.  The story spread quickly through the Hall, and Dawson brought it to me.  On hearing it, my first thought was of Madge.  I knew it would soon reach her.  Therefore I determined to go to her at once and make a clean breast of all my perfidy.  Had I done so sooner, I should at least have had the benefit of an honest, voluntary confession; but my conscience had made a coward of me, and the woman who had been my curse for years had so completely disturbed my mind that I should have been quite as well off without any at all.  It led me from one mistake into another.