e Monk of Iona tell what commodity of
landing there may be on the coast?'

Malcolm had the sea-port towns at his fingers' ends, and having in the
hard process of translation, and reading and re-reading one of the few
books that came into his hands, nearly mastered the contents, he was able
to reply with promptness and precision, although with much amazement, for

'Much he marvelled a knight of pride
Like book-bosomed priest should ride;'

nor had he ever before found his accomplishments treated as aught but
matters of scorn among the princes and nobles with whom he had
occasionally been thrown.

'Good! good!' said Sir Harry at last. 'Well read, and clearly called to
mind. The stripling will do you credit, James. Where have you studied,
fair cousin?'

Cousin! was it English fashion to make a cousin of everybody? But
gentle, humble Malcolm had no resentment in him, and felt gratified at
the friendly tone of so grand and manly-looking a knight. 'At home,' he
answered, 'with a travelling scholar who had studied at Padua and Paris.'

'That is where you Scots love to haunt! But know you how they are served
there? I have seen the gibbet where the Mayor of Paris hung two clerks'
sons for loving his daughters over well!'

'The clerks' twa sons of Owsenford that were foully slain!' cried
Malcolm, his face lighting up. 'Oh, Sir, have you seen their gibbet?'

'What? were they friends of yours?' asked Hal, much amused, and shaking
his head merrily at Sir James. 'Ill company, I fear--'

'Only in a ballad,' said Malcolm, colouring, 'that tells how at Yuletide
the ghosts came to their mother with their hats made of the birk that
grew at the gates of Paradise.'

'A rare ballad must that be!' exclaimed Hal. 'Canst sing it? Or are you
weary?--Marmion, prithee tell some of the fellows to bring my harp from
the baggage.'

'His own harp is with ours,' said Sir James; 'he will make a better
figure therewith.'

At his sign, the attendant, Nigel, the only person besides Lord Marmion
of Tanfield who had been present at the meal, besides the two Stewarts
and the English brothers, rose and disappeared between the trees, beyond
which a hum of voices, an occasional laugh, and the stamping of horses
and jingling of bridles, betokened that a good many followers were in
waiting. Malcolm's harp was quickly brought, having been slung in its
case to the saddle of Halbert's horse; and as he had used it to beguile
the last e