'I can hold mine own, I hope, without lessons from the enemy,'
said James, holding his head high, while his ruddy locks flew
back, his eyes glanced, and the red scar on his cheek widened.
'And is it true that you are for going through false England,
Patie?'

'I made friends there when I spent two years there with your
Grace's blessed father,' returned Sir Patrick, 'and so did my
good wife. She longs to see the lady who is now Sister Clare
at St. Katharine's in London, and it is well not to let her and
Annis brook the long sea voyage.'

'There, Jean! I'd brook ten sea voyages rather than hold myself
beholden to an Englishman!' quoth James.

'Nevertheless, there are letters and messages that it is well to
confide to so trusty and wise-headed a knight as Glenuskie,'
returned the Bishop.

The meal over, the silver bowls were carried round with water to
wash the hands by the two young Drummonds, sons of Glenuskie,
and by the King's pages, youths of about the same age, after
which the Bishop and Sir Patrick asked licence of the King to
retire for consultation to the Bishop's apartment, a permission
which, as may well be believed, he granted readily, only
rejoicing that he was not wanted.

The little ones were carried off by Mary and Nurse Ankaret; and
the King, his elder sisters, and the other youths of condition