that the men who had offended should be delivered up to them. I
was afraid their rude noise might have broken your Majesty's rest,
and raised some surprise."

"My rest might have been broken," said the monarch; "but that
sounds of violence should have occasioned surprise--Alas! reverend
father, there is in Scotland only one place where the shriek of
the victim and threats of the oppressor are not heard, and that,
father, is--the grave."

The prior stood in respectful silence, sympathising with the
feelings of a monarch whose tenderness of heart suited so ill with
the condition and manners of his people.

"And what became of the fugitives?" asked Robert, after a minute's
pause.

"Surely, sire," said the prior, "they were dismissed, as they
desired to be, before daylight; and after we had sent out to be
assured that no ambush of their enemies watched them in the vicinity,
they went their way in peace."

"You know nothing," inquired the King, "who the men were, or the
cause of their taking refuge with you?"

"The cause," said the prior, "was a riot with the townsmen; but how
arising is not known to us. The custom of our house is to afford
twenty-four hours of uninterrupted refuge in the sanctuary of St.
Dominic, without asking any question at the poor unfortunates who
have sought relief there. If they desire to remain for a longer