Page:Mary Stuart (Drinkwater).djvu/48

, or to-morrow, or to-night. Suspect every footstep. But I tread lightly. A poor king, but a light step—thus—do you see? (He creeps to his words towards the door.) Thus—thus—thus—there's a Queen in there, and her lover—a dirty lover—thus we go, and thus—be very watchful, Madam, very—do you hear them?—the Queen and her dirty lover—that tongue should be stilled—it isn't decent, is it? Then thus, and thus,—a light, light tread, eh?—and thus—ssh!
 * (He goes out)
 * (, watching him go, laughs, but then, with misgivings, she rings a bell, and comes)

Beaton: Yes, Madam? Mary: Did you see anything—out there?

Beaton: I saw the King pass down the stairs.

Mary: Did he speak?

Beaton: I don't think he saw me. He walked oddly—on tiptoe, as though something were at the corner. And as he went out of sight he half turned, and put his finger to his lip, and said, "Ssh!" very quietly, like that.