"
"And I?" said the page--
"You?" replied Catherine, "you are quite well--who thinks it worth
while to poison puppy-dogs or pages?"
"Does this levity become the time?" asked the page.
"It does, it does," answered Catherine Seyton; "if the Queen approves,
I see plainly how this disconcerted attempt may do us good service."
She went to work while she spoke, eagerly assisted by Roland. The
breakfast table soon displayed the appearance as if the meal had been
eaten as usual; and the ladies retired as softly as possible into the
Queen's sleeping apartment. At a new summons of the Lady Lochleven,
the page undid the door, and admitted her into the anteroom, asking
her pardon for having withstood her, alleging in excuse, that the
Queen had fallen into a heavy slumber since she had broken her fast.
"She has eaten and drunken, then?" said the Lady of Lochleven.
"Surely," replied the page, "according to her Grace's ordinary custom,
unless upon the fasts of the church."
"The jar," she said, hastily examining it, "it is empty--drank the
Lady Mary the whole of this water?"
"A large part, madam; and I heard the Lady Catherine Seyton jestingly
upbraid the Lady Mary Fleming with having taken more than a just share
of what remained, so that but little fell to her own lot."
"And are they well in health?" said the Lady of Lochleven.
"Lady Fleming," said the page, "complains of lethargy, and looks
duller than usual; and the Lady Catherine of Seyton feels her head
somewhat more giddy than is her wont.
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