"And now, Davie lad," he said, setting an arm about his brother's
neck, "there are but you and me for it, and I think a bit prayer would
not harm either of us."

So the two young lads, being about to die, kneeled down together
before the cross of Him who was betrayed with a kiss.




CHAPTER XXXV

THE LION AT BAY


The morning had broken broad and clear from the east when the door of
the prison-house was opened, and a seneschal appeared. He saluted the
brothers, and in a shaking voice summoned them to come forth and be
tried for offences of treason and rebellion against the King and his
ministers.

William of Douglas waved a hand to him, but answered nothing to the
summons. He wasted no words upon one who merely did as he was bidden.
All night the brothers had sat looking out on the city humming
sleeplessly beneath them, till the light slowly dawned over the Forth
and away to the eastward Berwick Law stood dwarfed and clear. At first
they had sat apart, but as the hours stole on David came a little
nearer and his hand sought that of his brother, clasped it, and abode
as it had been contented. The elder brother returned the pressure.