he two great northern lords of England are both, with
their forces, in the south will further encourage trouble; and the
peace that, with small intermissions, has continued since the battle of
Otterburn, is like to be broken. Therefore, my lad, I think it best
that you should cut short your visit, by a week, and you shall return
and finish it when matters have settled down.

"Here in Scotland we are not without troubles. Ill blood has arisen
between March and Douglas, owing to the Duke of Ramsay breaking his
promise to marry the Earl of March's daughter, and taking Douglas's
girl to wife. This, too, has sorely angered one more powerful than
either Douglas or March--I mean, of course, Albany, who really
exercises the kingly power.

"But troubles in Scotland will in no way prevent war from breaking out
with England. On the contrary, the quarrel between the two great lords
of our marches will cause them to loose their hold of the border men,
and I foresee that we shall have frays and forays among ourselves
again, as in the worst times of old. Therefore, it were best that you
went home. While these things are going on, the private friendship
between so many families on either side of the border must be
suspended, and all intercourse; for maybe every man on either side will
be called to arms, and assuredly it will not be safe for one of either
nation to set foot across the border, save armed, and with a strong
clump of spears at his back."

"I shall be sorry, indeed, to go," Oswald said, "but I see that if
troubles do, as you fear, break out at the conclusion of the peace, a
fortnight hence--"

"They may not wait for that," Adam Armstrong interrupted him. "A truce
is only a truce so long as there are those strong enough to enforce it,
and with Douglas and March at variance on our side, and Northumberland
and Westmoreland absent on yours, there are none to see that the truce
is not broken; and from what I hear, it may not be many days before we
see the smoke of burning houses rising, upon either side of the
border."

"The more reason for my going home," Oswald said. "My father is not
likely to be last in a fray, and assuredly he would not like me to be
away across the border when swords are drawn. I am very sorry, but I
see that there is no help for it; and tomorrow, at daybreak, I will
start for home."

That evening was the dullest Oswald had spent, during his visit. The
prospect that the two nations might soon be en