Avon Modern Short Story Monthly #36

This collection, *Historical Nights' Entertainment* by Raphael Sabatini, presents seven historical short stories set in medieval and early-modern Europe. The contents include: "The Night of Kirk O'Field," depicting the murder of Darnley and Mary Queen of Scots' subsequent entanglement with the Earl of Bothwell; "The Night of Witchcraft," involving Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan; "The Night of Nuptials," featuring Charles the Bold and Sapphira Danvelt; "The Night of Stranglers," concerning Giovanna of Naples and Andreas of Hungary; "The Night of Hate," recounting the murder of the Duke of Gandia; "The Night of Escape," describing Casanova's flight from the Piombi prison; and "The Night of Masquerade," covering the assassination of Gustavus III of Sweden. The excerpt details Mary's political maneuvering following Rizzio's murder, her growing passion for Bothwell, and a crucial conversation at Craigmillar where her advisors suggest methods to dissolve her marriage to the contemptible Darnley.