But before sunrise, upon the morrow, two messengers were directed to him, commanding him not to depart until he spake with the Queen's Majesty. This he did, meeting her at the hawking be-west Kinross. Whether it was the night's sleep or a deep dissimulation locked in her breast that made her forget her former anger, wise men may doubt; but concerning that she never moved word, and began divers other purposes, such as the offering of a ring to her by the Lord Ruthven. _Queen._ I cannot love Lord Ruthven, for I know him to use enchantment, and yet is he one of my Privy Council. _Knox._ Whom blames your Grace for that? _Queen._ Lethington was the whole cause. _Knox._ That man is absent for the present, Madam; and, therefore, I will say nothing on that subject. _Queen._ I understand that ye are appointed to go to Dumfries, for the election of a Superintendent to be established in these countries. _Knox._ Yes, those quarters have great need, and some of the Gentlemen so require. _Queen._ But I hear that the Bishop of Athens would be Superintendent. _Knox._ He is one, Madam, that is put in election. _Queen._ If ye knew him as well as I do, ye would never promote him to that office, nor yet to any other within your Kirk. _Knox._ What he has been, Madam, I neither know, nor yet will I inquire. In time of darkness, what could we do but grope and go wrong even as darkness carried us? If he fear not God now, he deceives many more than me. And yet, Madam, I am assured that God will not suffer His Church to be so far deceived as that an unworthy man shall be elected, where free election is, and the Spirit of God is earnestly called upon to decide betwixt the two. _Queen._ Well, do as ye will, but that man is a dangerous man. Therein the Queen was not deceived; for he had corrupted most part of the Gentlemen, not only to nominate him, but also to elect him. This perceived, the said John, Commissioner, delayed the election, and left Mr. Robert Pont (who was put in election with the foresaid Bishop) with the Master of Maxwell, that his doctrine and conversation might be the better tried by those that had not known him before. So the Bishop was frustrated of his purpose, for that time. Yet was he, at that time, the man that was most familiar with the said John, in his house and at table. When the Queen had talked long with John Knox, he being oft willing to take his leave, she said, "I have to open unto you one of the greatest matters that have touched me since I came to this realm, and I must have your help in it." Then she began to make a long discourse concerning her sister, the Lady Argyll, how that she was not so circumspect in all things as she wished her to be. _Queen._ Yet, my Lord, her husband, whom I love, treats her not in many things so honestly and so godly, as I think ye yourself would require.