"Her own choice fell upon her handsome cousin, Lord Darnley, who was a Catholic, and among the nearest heirs to the English crown. He was a weak, corrupt, ambitious man. But he had a winning face, and the marriage was celebrated in Holyrood Palace, in the summer of 1565. "One day, long before this marriage, as Mary was coming down the stairs of the Palace, she saw the graceful form of a dark Italian musician reclining on a piece of carved furniture in the hall. It was her first view of David Rizzio, who had come to Scotland in the train of the embassador from Savoy. In a celebrated picture of Mary, she is represented as starting back in surprise and horror at the sight of this adventurer, as though the moment were one of fate and evil foreboding. "This fascinating Italian won the confidence of Mary by his arts, and used his influence to bring about the marriage with Darnley. He became a friend of Darnley: they occupied the same apartments and engaged in the same political intrigues. "But, after the marriage, Rizzio himself drew away the affections of the Queen from Darnley, who determined to assassinate Rizzio. Several Scottish lords united with Darnley to do the deed. "One day, when Mary had been supping with Rizzio, the white face of Lord Ruthven appeared at the door of the room. "'Let _him_ come out of the room,' he said to the Queen. "'He shall not leave the room,' said the Queen; 'I read his danger in your face.' "Then Ruthven and his followers rushed upon Rizzio, dragged him from the room, and stabbed him fifty-six times. You have seen the blood-stains in the Palace, where the wily Italian was killed. "It is said that his body was thrown upon the same chest, at the foot of the stairs, where Mary had seen him first. "Mary knew that Darnley had caused the murder. "'I will now have my revenge,' she said, in the presence of the conspirators. "She said to Darnley, 'I will cause you to have as sorrowful a heart as I have now.' "For political reasons she, however, became seemingly reconciled to him. Three months after the tragedy, James VI. of Scotland and I. of England was born. You have seen his birthplace to-day. "Twelve months passed. Earl Bothwell, a profligate noble, had won the Queen's confidence. There is little doubt that the two formed a plot to destroy Darnley's life. "The Queen went to visit Darnley at Glasgow, he having fallen ill. She pretended great affection for him, and brought him to Edinburgh, and secured lodgings for him in a private house. She left him late one Sunday evening, to attend a marriage feast. "She remarked to him, in one of their last interviews,-- "'It was about this time, a year ago, I believe, that David was murdered.' "After she had gone, there was a great explosion, and Darnley's dead body was found in a neighboring garden. "Mary had had her revenge. "Three months after the tragedy she married Bothwell, who had secured a divorce from his young wife to prepare the way for the event.