courage, he had wisdom to conceal and cloak over his want of that
quality, which, once suspected, would have ruined all the plans
which his ambition had formed. He had also pride enough to supply,
in extremity, the want of real valour, and command enough over
his nerves to conceal their agitation. In other respects, he was
experienced in the ways of courts, calm, cool, and crafty, fixing
upon the points which he desired to attain, while they were yet far
removed, and never losing sight of them, though the winding paths
in which he trode might occasionally seem to point to a different
direction. In his person he resembled the King, for he was noble and
majestic both in stature and countenance. But he had the advantage
of his elder brother, in being unencumbered with any infirmity,
and in every respect lighter and more active. His dress was rich
and grave, as became his age and rank, and, like his royal brother,
he wore no arms of any kind, a case of small knives supplying at
his girdle the place usually occupied by a dagger in absence of a
sword.

At the Duke's entrance the prior, after making an obeisance,
respectfully withdrew to a recess in the apartment, at some distance
from the royal seat, in order to leave the conversation of the
brothers uncontrolled by the presence of a third person. It is
necessary to mention, that the recess was formed by a window; placed
in the inner front of the monastic buildings, called the palace,
from its being the frequent residence of the Kings of Scotland,
but which was, unless on such occasions, the residence of the prior
or abbot. The window was placed over the principal entrance to the
royal apartments, and commanded a view of the internal quadrangle
of the convent, formed on the right hand by the length of the
magnificent church, on the left by a building containing the range