The lady laughed a rich ringing laugh.

"These are indeed high heroics for so plain and poor an occasion. I
need not to utter a word of explanation. I am a lady travelling
peaceably under escort of an ambassador of France, through a Christian
country. By chance, I met the Earl Douglas, and invited him to sup
with me. What concern, spiritual or temporal, may that be of yours,
most reverend Abbot? Who made you my lord Earl's keeper?"

"Woman or demon from the pit!" said the Abbot, sternly, "think not to
deceive William Douglas, the aged, as you have cast the glamour over
William Douglas, the boy. The lust of the flesh abideth no more for
ever in this frail tabernacle. I bid thee, let the lad go, for he is
dear to me as mine own soul. Let him go, I say, ere I curse thee with
the curse of God the Almighty!"

The lady continued to smile, standing meantime slender and fair before
them, her bosom heaving a little with emotion, and her hair rippling
in red gold confusion down her back.

"Certainly, my lord Earl came not upon compulsion. He is free to
return with you, if he yet be under tutors and governors, or afraid of
the master's stripes. Go, Earl William, I made a mistake; I thought
you had been a man. But since I was wrong I bid you get back to the
monk's chapter house, to clerkly copies and childish toys."

Then black and sullen anger glared from the eyes of the Douglas.

"Get hence," he cried. "Hence, both of you--you, Uncle William, ere I