"I knew not whether it might afford you pleasure or no," answered the
Chancellor.

"Give it me!" cried Douglas, imperiously, as though he spoke to an
underling.

Sir William Crichton drew a square parcel from beneath his long-furred
gown, and handed it to William Douglas, who, without stepping back,
instantly broke the seal.

"Pshaw," cried he, contemptuously, "it is from the Queen Mother and
Alexander Livingston!"

He thought it had been from another, and his disappointment was
written clear upon his face.

"Even so," said the Chancellor, suavely; "it was delivered by the same
servant who brought the message which called away the ambassador and
his companion."

The Earl read it from beginning to end. After the customary greetings
and good wishes the letter ran as follows:

"The King greatly desires to see his noble cousin of Douglas
at the castle of Edinburgh, presently put at his Majesty's
disposal by the High Chancellor of Scotland. Here in this
place are now assembled all the men who desire the peace and
assured prosperity of the realm, saving the greatest of all,
my Lord and kinsman of Douglas. The King sends affectionate
greeting to his cousin, and desires that he also may come