January 26, 1554

I waited until today to tell the four Marys of my visit. They were stunned. “You went there by yourself?” Mary Beaton gasped.

“What did he say?” asked Mary Fleming, her delicate face beautiful and quivering like a small flower in a summer breeze. So I told the Marys all about it. They remained silent for a long moment. Then Mary Beaton dropped on one knee. “Your Majesty, your courage inspires us. I vow that I shall remain by your side whatever the tumult, wherever fortunes good or ill take you, and mostly, although I know you do not like talk of marriage, I vow never to marry before you.”

“Aye… Aye… Aye.” There was a soft chorus of ayes, and the three other Marys dropped to their knees and vowed as well to follow me through tumult and repose and never to marry until I have so done. Did any person have a luckier charm than these four steadfast friends? They are my clover leaf for eternity.