colours presented a golden salver filled with clear water for the
guests to wash their hands. Through the interstices of the ceiling
strains of music filtered down from musicians hidden somewhere above,
which sounded curiously soothing and far away.

The Chancellor bowed and drank every few minutes to the health of the
Earl and his brother across the board, while the tutor sat smiling
upon all with the polish of a professional courtier. In his high seat
at the table end the little King chatted incessantly of the times when
he could do as he pleased, and when he and his cousin of Douglas would
ride together to battle and tourney, or feast together in hall.

"Be sure, then, I will not keep all these grey-beard sorners about
me," he said, lowering his voice cautiously; "I will only have young
gallant men like you and David there. But what comes here?"

There was a stir among the servitors at the upper end of the room.
Sholto, who stood behind his master's chair, heard the skirl of the
war-pipes approach nearer. It grew louder, more insistent, finally
almost oppressive. The doors at either end were filled with armed
men. They filed silently into the hall in dark armour, all carrying
shining Lochaber axes.

Douglas leaned back in his chair, and looked nonchalantly on like a
spectator of a pageant. He continued to talk to the King easily and
calmly, as if he were in his own Castle of Thrieve. But Sholto saw the
white and ghastly look on the face of the Chancellor, and noted his
hands nervously grip the table. He observed him also lean across and
confer with Livingston, who nodded like one that agrees that the
moment of action has come.