"By your permission I will ask my father," said Sholto.

"He also fights on our side as the squire of Alan Fleming," said the
Earl; "if Laurence had not been a monk, he might have made a third
MacKim."

Then was Sholto's heart high and uplifted within him, to think of the
victory he would achieve over his brother less than two days after
they had parted, and he hastened off to choose his arms under the
direction of his father.

The party of James of Avondale consisted of his brother William and
young John Lauder, called Lauder of the Bass. These three had already
entered their pavilion to accoutre themselves for the combat when a
trumpet announced the arrival from the castle of the ambassador of
France, who, being recovered from his sickness, had come in haste to
see the fighting of the last and greatest day of the tourney.

As soon as he heard the wager of battle the marshal cried: "I also
will strike a blow this day for the honour of France. My quinsy has
altogether left me, and my blood flows strong after the rest. I will
take part with James of Avondale."

And, without waiting to be asked, he went off followed by his servant
Poitou towards the pavilion of the Avondale trio.

Now as the Marshal de Retz was the chief guest, it was impossible for
James of Avondale to refuse his offer. But there was anger and
blasphemy in his heart, for he knew not what the Frenchman could do,