"Not while Douglas is at large, and in possession of his power,"
answered Albany. "But, noble earl, come with me, and I will show
you at what disadvantage you stand."

Douglas dismounted, and followed his wily accomplice in silence.
In a lower hall they saw the ranks of the Brandanes drawn up, well
armed in caps of steel and shirts of mail. Their captain, making
an obeisance to Albany, seemed to desire to address him.

"What now, MacLouis?" said the Duke.

"We are informed the Duke of Rothsay has been insulted, and I can
scarce keep the Brandanes within door."

"Gallant MacLouis," said Albany, "and you, my trusty Brandanes,
the Duke of Rothsay, my princely nephew, is as well as a hopeful
gentleman can be. Some scuffle there has been, but all is appeased."

He continued to draw the Earl of Douglas forward. "You see,
my lord," he said in his ear, "that, if the word 'arrest' was to
be once spoken, it would be soon obeyed, and you are aware your
attendants are few for resistance."

Douglas seemed to acquiesce in the necessity of patience for the
time. "If my teeth," he said, "should bite through my lips, I will
be silent till it is the hour to speak out."

George of March, in the meanwhile, had a more easy task of pacifying
the Prince. "My Lord of Rothsay," he said, approaching him with
grave ceremony, "I need not tell you that you owe me something for