Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/11

Rh morning, Bothwell himself came, disguised in a riding-cloak, to see the execution of the cruel project. Two of his ruffians went in and took means of firing the powder, by lighting a piece, of slow-burning match at one end, and placing the other amongst the gunpowder. They remained for some time watching the event. The explosion presently took place, blew up the Kirk of Field, and alarmed the whole city. The body of Darnley was found in the adjoining orchard."

This horrible murder excited the strongest sensation throughout the kingdom, and all eyes were turned on Bothwell as the perpetrator; nor did Mary herself escape from partaking of the general odium.

Bothwell now no longer concealed his ambitious views. Having applied for, and obtained, a divorce from his former wife, he prevailed upon some of the most powerful nobles to recommend him as the most proper husband for the Queen; and although Mary could not with decency at once accept of the hand stained with the blood of her late husband, yet, it must be confessed, she showed little inclination to resist the efforts made by Bothwell to accomplish his purpose. Being on a visit to the young prince at Stirling, on her return to Edinburgh, she was met by Bothwell at Cramond Bridge with a thousand horse. Having disarmed her attendants, he seized the bridle of the Queen's palfrey, and without much resistance