Theoretically he had studied it with
all his might, from Caesar, Quintus Curtius, and that favourite modern
authority, the learned ecclesiastic, Jean Pave, who was the Vauban of the
fifteenth century; and he had likewise obtained greedily all the
information he could from Henry himself and his warriors; but all this
had convinced him that if war was to be more than a mere raid, conducted
by mere spirit and instinct, some actual apprenticeship was necessary.
Even for such a dash, Henry himself had told him that he would find his
book-knowledge an absolute impediment without some practice, and would
probably fail for that very reason when opposed to tough old seasoned
warriors. And, prudence apart, James, at five-and-twenty, absolutely
glowed with shame at the thought that every one of his companions had
borne arms for at least ten years past, while his arrows had no mark but
the target, his lances had all been broken in the tilt-yard. It was this
argument that above all served to pacify old Bairdsbrae; though he
confessed himself very uneasy as to the prejudice it would create in
Scotland, and so evidently loathed the expedition, that James urged on
him to return to Scotland, instead of continuing his attendance. There
was no fear but that his ransom would be accepted, and he had been absent
twelve years from his home.

'No, no, my Lord; I sware to your father that I'd never quit you till I
brought you safe home again, and, God willing, I'll keep my oath. But
what's this puir callant to do, that you were set upon rearing upon your
books at Windsor?'

'He shall choose,' said James. 'Either he shall study at the learned
university at Oxford or at Paris, or he shall ride with me, and see how
cities and battles are won. Speak not yet, cousin; it takes many months
to shake out the royal banner, and you shall look about you ere deciding.
Now give me yonder black cloak; they are assembling for the requiem.'

Malcolm, as he followed his king, was not a little amazed to see that
Henry, the magnificent victor, was wrapped in a plain black serge
garment, his short dark hair uncovered, his feet bare; and that on
arriving at the Minster he threw himself on his knees, almost on his
face, before the choir steps, there remaining while the _De profundis_
and the like solemn and mournful strains floated through the dark
vaultings above him, perhaps soothing while giving expression to the
agony of his affliction, and self-accusat