'You cannot do all, Jamie,' persisted Eleanor; 'and we long
after that fair smooth land of peace. Lady Glenuskie would take
good care of us till we came to Margaret.'

'Ay! And 'tis little you heed how it is with me,' exclaimed
James, 'when you are gone to your daffing and singing and
dancing--with me that have saved you from that reiver Hepburn.'

'Jamie, dear, I'll never quit ye,' said little Mary's gentle
voice.

He laughed.

'You are a leal faithful little lady, Mary; but you are no good
as yet, when Angus is speiring for my sister for his heir.'

'And do you trow,' said Jean hotly, 'that when one sister is to
be a queen, and the other is next thing to it, we are going to
put up with a raw-boned, red-haired, unmannerly Scots earl?'

'And do you forget who is King of Scotland, ye proud peat?' her
brother cried in return.

'A braw sort of king,' returned Jean, 'who could not hinder his
mother and sisters from being stolen by an outlaw.'

The pride and hot temper of the Beauforts had descended to both
brother and sister, and James lifted his hand with 'Dare to say
that again'; and Jean was beginning 'I dare,' when little