chapel and household furniture about with him, it was a good
deal more civilised-looking than even the princesses' room.
Large folding screens, worked with tapestry, representing the
lives of the saints, shut off the part used as an oratory and
that which served as a bedchamber, where indeed the good man
slept on a rush mat on the floor. There were a table and
several chairs and stools, all capable of being folded up for
transport. The young King occupied a large chair of state, in
which he twisted himself in a very undignified manner; the
Bishop-Chancellor sat beside him, with the Great Seal of
Scotland and some writing materials, parchments, and letters
before him, and Sir Patrick came forward to receive and seat the
young ladies, and then remained standing--as few of his rank in
Scotland would have done on their account.

'Well, lassies,' began the King, 'here's lads enow for you.
There's the Master of Angus, as ye ken--'(Jean tossed her
head)--'moreover, auld Crawford wants one of you for his son.'

'The Tyger Earl,' gasped Eleanor.

'And with Stirling for your portion, the modest fellow,' added
James. 'Ay, and that's not all. There's the MacAlpin threats
me with all his clan if I dinna give you to him; and Mackay is
not behindhand, but will come down with pibroch and braidsword
and five hundred caterans to pay his court to you, and make
short work of all others. My certie, sisters seem but a cause
for threats from reivers, though maybe they would not be so
uncivil if once they had you.'