[Footnote 104: MSS. folio 525, Yelverton; Lord Calthorpe. Note in Beale's hand.] [Footnote 105: MSS. folio 533. Lord Walsingham to Paulet by Digby, 3rd February.] After informing the Earl of Kent of his duty on the way, Beale had reached Fotheringay on Sunday evening, 5th February, where he showed his commission to Paulet and Drury, and the next day he hastened to communicate it to the Earl of Shrewsbury, who was staying in the neighbourhood. That same evening Beale returned to the castle to dine with Paulet, accompanied by several persons who were to be present at the execution--among them was Dr. Fletcher, Dean of Peterborough. And here let us pause on the eve of the day which brought the fatal tidings to Queen Mary. If Elizabeth was troubled in mind, and haunted with remorse, Mary, on the contrary, awaited in absolute calm and resignation the end of her life of sorrows.[106] [Footnote 106: Beale's note continues thus: "Wherefore the speech delivered to the Sc. Queen the day before her death was, that the Earls had a message to deliver unto her from H. Mty., which she should understand by the commission under H. Mty's. hand and great seal openly shewed and read. And for that purpose the commission was also openly read upon the scaffold, and divers gentlemen's hands taken unto a declaration of the manner of her execution, the original wherof remaineth with the E. of Shrewsbury."] CHAPTER X THE LAST DAY ON EARTH "On Tuesday the 7th of February several persons arrived, among whom it is supposed was the sheriff, who all dined with Sir Amyas. After dinner came the Comte de Kent, and last of all Monsieur de Sheresburg, at whose arrival we were all dismayed and in great fear, having for the last three days imagined many coming evils for Her Majesty, who herself felt convinced that the blow was about to fall."[107] [Footnote 107: Walsingham wrote to Paulet to this effect: "This will be brought by Beale along with the commission for the execution of your charge. R.B. cannot well arrive before Monday at 10 A.M. It is thought well that the two Earls should in some place meet unto you and have some conference touching the form of the exc'n. You may do well to think of some convenient place for the purpose. I send you a letter to the sheriff from my lords unsealed, to the end you may see what colour is used for his employment." Walsingham's Memorial, see Appendix, p. 266.]