Section 162. A ROYAL JUDGMENT.
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A man and his wife named Lambrun had been many years in the service of the unfortunate Queen Mary Stuart, and were sincerely attached to her. The tragical death of that princess had such an effect on the husband that he did not long survive her, and the[1] widow, Margaret Lambrun, resolved to revenge, upon[2] Queen Elizabeth, the[3] death of two persons so dear to her. She (S. 5, N. 2) therefore disguised[4] herself in man’s clothes, bought (S. 58, N. 8) a brace[5] of pistols, and went[6] to (S. 72, N. 4) London. Soon after, when the queen[7] appeared in[8] public, Margaret endeavoured to[9] make her way through the crowd in order to shoot her[10]; but one of the pistols fell[11], and she was immediately apprehended.
The[12] queen, being informed of the circumstance[13], ordered[14] the man to be brought before her, and said to him: “Well, Sir, who are you[15]? and why do you seek[16] to kill me?”—“Madam,” replied Margaret, “I am a woman; I was a long time in the service of Queen Mary Stuart, whom you put[17] to death unjustly; her execution caused[18] the death of my dear husband, who was sincerely attached to her; and my affection for both of them has excited[19] me to revenge.”—“And how do you think I ought to deal[20] with you?” asked Elizabeth.—“Do you speak as a queen or as a judge?” returned Margaret.—“As a queen.”—“Then you ought to pardon[21] me,” was the answer.—“And what security[22] can you give me that you will not attempt[16] my life again?”—“Madam, a[23] pardon granted upon conditions ceases to be a favour[24].”—“Well then,” said the queen, “I pardon you, and trust to your gratitude for[25] my safety.”—P. Sadler.