While I was not a drunkard, I was given to my cups sometimes in a degree both dangerous and disgraceful; and during the evening of which I have just spoken I talked to Sir John with a freedom that afterward made me blush, although my indiscretion brought me no greater trouble.
My outburst of confidence was prompted by Sir John's voluntary assurance that I need fear nothing from having told him that I was a friend of Queen Mary.

The Scottish queen's name had been mentioned, and Sir John had said-- "I take it, Sir Malcolm, that you are newly arrived in England, and I feel sure you will accept the advice I am about to offer in the kindly spirit in which it is meant.

I deem it unsafe for you to speak of Queen Mary's friendship in the open manner you have used toward me.

Her friends are not welcome visitors to England, and I fear evil will befall those who come to us as refugees.

You need have no fear that I will betray you.