Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/9

Rh It was not to be expected, after this shocking outrage, that Mary could ever be reconciled to her husband. His brutal conduct entirely destroyed her happiness, and a deep and settled melancholy preyed upon her heart.

A few months after this tragical event, she was delivered of a son in the Castle of Edinburgh. A curious account is recorded of the behaviour of Elizabeth at this time.—When news of this event reached London, Queen Elizabeth was merrily engaged in dancing; but upon hearing what had happened, she left the dance, and sat down, leaning her head on her hand, and exclaiming passionately to her ladies, "Do you not hear how the Queen of Scots hath a fine son, and I am but a barren stock!"

The birth of her son did not by any means reconcile Mary to her husband: on the contrary, her dislike continued to increase to such a degree, that, many of the nobility about her Court began to think, that it would not be disagreeable to her to be entirely freed from such an ill-tempered husband.

Amongst those who first agitated this scheme was James, Earl of Bothwell, a man in middle age, and the head of the powerful family of Hepburn in East Lothian. He had always shown great zeal for Mary's service, and being one of those who strongly opposed the murder of Rizzio, this naturally led her to distinguish him with