, said Eleanor gravely;
'nevertheless I thank you, my Lord Marquis.'

George would have thrown himself at their feet, but Jean coldly said,
'Spare thanks, sir. It was for my brother's right,' and she turned her
horse away, and rode off at speed, while Eleanor could not help pausing
to say, 'She is more blithe than she lists to own! Sir Patrick, what the
fellows claim must come from my uncle's travelling purse.'

George's face was red. This was very bitter to him, but he could only
say, 'It shall be repaid so soon as I have the power.'

The peasants meanwhile were trying to make the best bargain they could
by representing that they were tenants of an abbey, so that the death of
the gander was sacrilegious on that account as well as because it was in
Lent. To this, however, Sir Patrick turned a deaf ear: he threw them
a couple of gold pieces, with which, as he told them, they were much
better off than with either the live goose or the dead Ringan.

Suffolk had halted for the mid-day rest and was waiting for him till
this matter was disposed of. 'Sir Patrick Drummond,' he said with some
ceremony, 'this company of yours may be Scottish subjects, but while
they are riding with me I am answerable for them. It may be the wont in
Scotland, but it is not with us English, to let unnamed adventurers ride
under our banner.'

'The young man is not unnamed,' said Sir Patrick, on his mettle.

'You know him?'

'I'll no say, but I have an inkling. My son David kenn'd him and
answered for him when he joined himself to my following; nor has he
hitherto done aught to discredit himself.'

'What is his name, or the name he goes by?'

'George Douglas.'

'H'm! Your Scottish names may belong to any one, from your earls down to
your herdboys; and they, forsooth, are as like as not to call themselves
gentlemen.'

'And wherefore not, if theirs is gentle blood?' said Sir Patrick.

'Nay, now, Sir Patrick, stand not on your Scotch pride. Gentlemen all,
if you will, but you gave me to understand that this was none of your
barefoot gentlemen, and I ask if you can tell who he truly is?'

'I have never been told, my Lord, and I had rather you put the question
to himself than to me.'

'Call him then, an' so please you.'

Sir Patrick saw no alternative save compliance; and he found Ringan
undergoing a severe rating, not unaccompanied by blows from the wood of
his master's lance. The perfect willingness to die for one another was
a mere n