was, which in fact Sir Patrick might suspect enough to be
conscious of the full awkwardness of the position, and to
abandon the youth was impossible. Though it was not likely that
the Duke of York would hang him if aware of his rank, he might
be detained as a hostage or put to heavy ransom, or he might
never be brought to the Duke's presence at all, but be put to
death by some truculent underling, incredulous of a Scotsman's
tale, if indeed he were not too proud to tell it. Anyway, Sir
Patrick felt bound to stand by him.

'Good sir,' said he to the forester, 'will it content thee if we
all go with thee to thy Duke? The two Scottish princesses are
of his kin, and near of blood to King Henry, whom they are about
to visit at Windsor. I am on a mission thither on affairs of
state, but I shall be willing to make my excuses to him for any
misdemeanour committed on his lands by my followers.'

The forester was consenting, when George cried--

'I'll have no hindrance to your journey on my account, Sir
Patrick. Let me answer for myself.'

'Foolish laddie,' said the knight. 'Father Romuald and I were
only now conferring as to paying the Duke a visit on our way.
Sir forester, we shall be beholden to you for guiding us.'

He further inquired into the ranger's hurts, and salved them
with a piece of gold, while David thought proper to observe to
George--