Mary\'sbrother,theEARLOFMURRAY,andheadoftheProtestantpartyinScotland,hadopposedthismarriage,partlyonreligiousgrounds,andpartlyperhapsfrompersonaldislikeoftheverycontemptiblebridegroom.Whenithadtakenplace,throughMary\'sgainingovertoitthemorepowerfulofthelordsabouther,shebanishedMurrayforhispains;and,whenheandsomeothernoblesroseinarmstosupportthereformedreligion,sheherself,withinamonthofherweddingday,rodeagainsttheminarmourwithloadedpistolsinhersaddle.DrivenoutofScotland,theypresentedthemselvesbeforeElizabeth-whocalledthemtraitorsinpublic,andassistedtheminprivate,accordingtohercraftynature.
Maryhadbeenmarriedbutalittlewhile,whenshebegantohateherhusband,who,inhisturn,begantohatethatDavidRizzio,withwhomhehadleaguedtogainherfavour,andwhomhenowbelievedtobeherlover.HehatedRizziotothatextent,thathemadeacompactwithLORDRUTHVENandthreeotherlordstogetridofhimbymurder.ThiswickedagreementtheymadeinsolemnsecrecyuponthefirstofMarch,fifteenhundredandsixty-six,andonthenightofSaturdaytheninth,theconspiratorswerebroughtbyDarnleyupaprivatestaircase,darkandsteep,intoarangeofroomswheretheyknewthatMarywassittingatsupperwithhersister,LadyArgyle,andthisdoomedman.Whentheywentintotheroom,DarnleytooktheQueenroundthewaist,andLordRuthven,whohadrisenfromabedofsicknesstodothismurder,camein,gauntandghastly,leaningontwomen.RizzioranbehindtheQueenforshelterandprotection.\'Lethimcomeoutoftheroom,\'saidRuthven.\'Heshallnotleavetheroom,\'repliedtheQueen;\'Ireadhisdangerinyourface,anditismywillthatheremainhere.\'
Theythensetuponhim,struggledwithhim,overturnedthetable,draggedhimout,andkilledhimwithfifty-sixstabs.WhentheQueenheardthathewasdead,shesaid,\'Nomoretears.Iwillthinknowofrevenge!\'
Withinadayortwo,shegainedherhusbandover,andprevailedonthetallidiottoabandontheconspiratorsandflywithhertoDunbar.There,heissuedaproclamation,audaciouslyandfalselydenyingthathehadanyknowledgeofthelatebloodybusiness;andtheretheywerejoinedbytheEARLBOTHWELLandsomeothernobles.
Withtheirhelp,theyraisedeightthousandmen;returnedtoEdinburgh,anddrovetheassassinsintoEngland.Marysoonafterwardsgavebirthtoason-stillthinkingofrevenge.