David Rizzio.--Embassadors.--Rizzio's position.--Rizzio French secretary.--Displeasure of the Scotch nobles.--They treat Rizzio with scorn and contempt.--He consults Melville.--Melville's counsel.--Melville and the queen.--Rizzio's religion.--His services to Mary.--Rizzio's power and influence.--His intimacy with Mary.--Rizzio's exertion in favor of the marriage.--Rizzio and Darnley.--Darnley greatly disliked.--His unreasonable wishes.--The crown matrimonial.--Darnley's ambition.--Darnley's brutality.--Signatures.--Coins.--Rizzio sides with Mary.--Darnley and Ruthven.--A combination.--The secretary and his queen.--Nature of Mary's attachment.--Plot to assassinate Rizzio.--Plan of Holyrood House.--Description.--Apartments.--Morton and Ruthven.--Mary at supper.--Arrangement of the conspirators.--The little upper room.--Murder of Rizzio.--Conversation.--Violence of the conspirators.--Mary a prisoner.--Darnley's usurpation.--Melville.--Mary appeals to the provost.--Mary defeats the conspirators.--Birth of her son. Mary had a secretary named David Rizzio. He was from Savoy, a country among the Alps. It was the custom then, as it is now, for the various governments of Europe to have embassadors at the courts of other governments, to attend to any negotiations, or to the transaction of any other business which might arise between their respective sovereigns. These embassadors generally traveled with pomp and parade, taking sometimes many attendants with them. The embassador from Savoy happened to bring with him to Scotland, in his train, this young man, Rizzio, in 1561, that is, just about the time that Mary herself returned to Scotland. He was a handsome and agreeable young man, but his rank and position were such that, for some years, he attracted no attention. He was, however, quite a singer, and they used to bring him in sometimes to sing in Mary's presence with three other singers. His voice, being a good bass, made up the quartette. Mary saw him in this way, and as he was a good French and Italian scholar, and was amiable and intelligent, she gradually became somewhat interested in him. Mary had, at this time, among her other officers, a French secretary, who wrote for her, and transacted such other business as required a knowledge of the French language. This French secretary went home, and Mary appointed Rizzio to take his place.