that ever I may have, I shall do my endeavour to recompense you as you deserve. I have ordered a more complete alphabet to be made for you, which you will herewith receive. May the Almighty God protect you. MARIE R.” [Illustration: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS. _From the Collection of_ RANDOLPH WEMYSS, ESQ., _of Wemyss Castle_.] CHAPTER X Paulet and the Queen discuss the situation—Arrival of Lord Buckhurst—Buckhurst, Paulet, Drury, and Beale have an audience of the Queen—Elizabeth's insolent message—Mary's vigorous reply—Debate between the Queen and Beale—Text of Mary's famous letter to Elizabeth, 19th December 1586—The Drury and Melville interview—Mary demands delivery of her papers—Paulet's duplicity—Mary's opinion of Nau—Melville, Bourgoyne, and Prean separated finally from her in spite of remonstrance. “After the departure of the commissioners, Paulet treated the Queen courteously, provided her with what was necessary to make her comfortable, and gave her in addition the use of the great hall which had served for the examination. Her Majesty all this time, so far from being troubled with what had passed, I had not seen her so joyful nor so much at her ease for seven years; only speaking of things for the purpose of recreation, especially giving her opinion on the chronicles of England, which she read daily; and afterwards in chatting with her people without any appearance of sadness, looking well and appearing better than before her trouble. Her resolution was that she did not fear to die for such a good cause, and if anyone said they would not put her to death, she knew quite well they would. She saw well that they were proceeding in order to come to that point, for she knew their ways of doing.