2034 Ayez memoire de l'ame et de l'honneur de celle qui a este Mary's own words. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS. NO. 82 CLIFF STREET. 184 0. LIFE ог MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. CHAPTER I. The Proposal of a Divorce between Mary and Darnley, and the Christening of James: VI It was in December, 1566, during. Mary's residence at Craigmillar, that a proposal was made to her by her privy council, which deserves particular attention. It originated with, the Earl of Bothwell, who was now an active cabinet, minister and officer of state. Murray and Darnley, the only two persons in her kingdom to whom Mary had been willing to surrender, in a great degree, the reins of government, had deceived her; and finding her interests betrayed by them, she knew not where to look for an adviser. Rizzio had been faithful to her, and to him she listened with some deference; but it was impossible that he could ever have supplied the place of a prime minister. The Earl of Morton was not destitute of ambition sufficient to have made him aspire to that office; but he chose, unfortunately for himself, to risk his advancement in espousing Darnley's cause in opposition to the queen. Both, in consequence, fell into suspicion; Morton was banished from court, and Murray again made his appearance there. But though she still had a partiality for her brother, Mary A 2 |