The Holy Father was incredulous of my sad presentiments, as Mary Stuart herself had been, but he granted me the request.

I quitted Rome, and travelled with relays day and night.

Reaching Boulogne, a Dover packet-boat had just raised anchor; I succeeded in boarding her, and arrived in London the next evening.

The day following, the execution of the queen took place at Fotheringay.

I was with her in her last hours, and from my hand she received the consecrated water of Pope Sixtus V.I had kept my oath.
I accompanied her to the scaffold, and her head rolled at my feet, as I had seen it in my vision at Edinburgh.