To this remark the prior would have made some reply, but the door
of the apartment was opened, and a gentleman usher announced the
Duke of Albany.



CHAPTER X.

Gentle friend,
Chide not her mirth, who was sad yesterday,
And may be so tomorrow.

JOANNA BAILLIE.


The Duke of Albany was, like his royal brother, named Robert. The
Christian name of the latter had been John until he was called to
the throne; when the superstition of the times observed that the
name had been connected with misfortune in the lives and reigns
of John of England, John of France, and John Baliol of Scotland.
It was therefore agreed that, to elude the bad omen, the new king
should assume the name of Robert, rendered dear to Scotland by
the recollections of Robert Bruce. We mention this to account for
the existence of two brothers of the same Christian name in one
family, which was not certainly an usual occurrence, more than at
the present day.

Albany, also an aged man, was not supposed to be much more disposed
for warlike enterprise than the King himself. But if he had not