our valley of Liddel inclines to stronger potations. Seneschal,
let our faithful yeoman have a cup of brandy; it will be more
germain to the matter.'

'And now,' said Mannering, 'since we have unwarily intruded upon
your majesty at a moment of mirthful retirement, be pleased to say
when you will indulge a stranger with an audience on those affairs
of weight which have brought him to your northern capital.'

The monarch opened Mac-Morlan's letter, and, running it hastily
over, exclaimed with his natural voice and manner, 'Lucy Bertram
of Ellangowan, poor dear lassie!'

'A forfeit! a forfeit!' exclaimed a dozen voices; 'his majesty has
forgot his kingly character.'

'Not a whit! not a whit!' replied the king; 'I'll be judged by
this courteous knight. May not a monarch love a maid of low
degree? Is not King Cophetua and the Beggar-maid an adjudged case
in point?'

'Professional! professional! another forfeit,' exclaimed the
tumultuary nobility.

'Had not our royal predecessors,' continued the monarch, exalting
his sovereign voice to drown these disaffected clamours,--'had
they not their Jean Logies, their Bessie Carmichaels, their
Oliphants, their Sandilands, and their Weirs, and shall it be
denied to us even to name a maiden whom we delight to honour? Nay,
then, sink state and perish sovereignty! for, like a second