[64] Laing's remarks upon this subject, are exceedingly weak. He seems to suppose that Mary, for the mere sake of appearances, ought to have thrown into prison some of her most powerful nobility. He adds,--"If innocent, she must have suspected somebody, and the means of detection were evidently in her hands. The persons who provided or furnished the lodging,--the man to whom the house belonged,--the servants of the Queen, who were intrusted with the keys,--the King's servants who had previously withdrawn, or were preserved, at his death,--her brother, Lord Robert, who had apprised him of his danger, were the first objects for suspicion or inquiry; and their evidence would have afforded the most ample detection." Laing does not seem to be aware, that he is here suggesting the very steps which Mary actually took. She had not, indeed, herself examined witnesses, which would have been alike contrary to her general habits and her feelings at the time; but she had ordered the legal authorities to assemble every day, till they ascertained all the facts which could be collected. Nor does Laing seem to remember, that Bothwell had it in his power to exercise over these legal authorities no inconsiderable control, and to prevail upon them, as he in truth did, to garble and conceal several circumstances of importance which came out. [65] Killigrew, the English ambassador, sent by Elizabeth to offer her condolence, mentions, that he "found the Queen's Majesty in a dark chamber so as he could not see her face, but by her words she seemed very doleful."--Chalmers, vol. ii. p. 209. [66] Chalmers, vol. i. p. 208. [67] _Vide_ these Letters in Anderson, vol. i. p. 40, or Keith, p. 369. [68] Anderson, vol. i. p. 50. [69] Goodall, vol. i. p. 346, _et seq._ [70] Chalmers, vol. i. p. 209. The above fact is no proof, as Chalmers alleges, that Murray was connected with the conspirators; but it shows, that whatever his own suspicions or belief were, he did not choose to discountenance Bothwell. Could Mary ever suppose that the _godly_ Earl of Murray would entertain a murderer at his table? [71] Anderson, vol. i. p. 52. [72] Robertson--Appendix to vol. i. No. XIX. [73] Anderson, vol. ii. p. 103. [74] Anderson, vol. ii. p. 104, et seq.--and Keith, p. 375, et seq. [75] Anderson, vol. ii. p. 157. [76] Anderson, vol. i. p. 107; and Keith, p. 381.