Then after a long pause he deigned to reply, but rather like a king
who grants a favour than like one accused before judges in whose hands
is the power of life and death.

"I see," said he, "two knights before me on a high seat, one the
King's tutor, the other his purse-bearer. I have yet to learn who
constituted them judges of any cause whatsoever, still less of aught
that concerns William Douglas, Duke of Touraine, Earl of Douglas,
hereditary Lieutenant-Governor of the realm of Scotland."

And he kept his eyes upon them with a straight forth-looking glance,
palpably embarrassing to the traitors on the dais.

"Earl Douglas," said the Chancellor again, "pray remember that you are
not now in Castle Thrieve. Your six thousand horsemen wait not in the
courtyard out there. Learn to be more humble and answer to the things
whereof you are accused. Do you desire that witness should be
brought?"

"Of what need are witnesses? I own no court or jurisdiction. I have
heard no accusations!" said the Earl William.

The Chancellor motioned with his hand, whereupon Master Robert Berry,
a procurator of the city, advanced and read a long parchment which set
forth in phrase and detail of legality twenty accusations against the
Earl,--of treason, rebellion, and manifest oppression.

When he had finished the Chancellor said, "And now, Earl Douglas, what
answer have you to these things?"