"The Queen's Maries: A Romance of Holyrood" by G. J. Whyte-Melville is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The book explores the life and trials of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, and focuses particularly on her group of devoted ladies-in-waiting known as the Maries, who accompany her from France to Scotland. It promises to weave together elements of romance, adventure, and history, centered around the characters' loyalty and the political tumult of the time. At the start of the novel, the narrative unfolds on a chilly autumn night in Calais, where Mary Stuart prepares to leave France, filled with nostalgia for the country she cherishes. The opening describes a bustling scene as various characters interact in a wine shop, including a young archer of the Scottish Body-Guard named Walter Maxwell. The atmosphere is a mixture of revelry and tension as Mary and her ladies prepare to depart amidst impending change. The initial chapters introduce the Queen's Maries, their personalities, and their excitement and trepidation about embarking on this significant journey, highlighting both the emotional stakes and the historical context of Mary Stuart’s reign. (This is an automatically generated summary.)