ay
to meet David Drummond, to whom he confided his disgusts.

'The parlous fulebody! As though I were like to make myself a mere sport
for ballad-mongers, such as Lady Elleen is always mooning after; or as
if I would stoop to borrow a following of the English blackguard, to
bolster up my state like King Herod in a mystery play. If my father
lists, he may send me out a band, but the Douglas shall have Douglas's
men, or none at all.'

David approved the sentiment, but added--

'Ye could win to Jeanie if ye took your right place.'

'What good would that do me while she is full of her fine daffing,
singing, clacking, English knights, that would only gibe at the
red-haired Scot? Let her wait to see what the Red Douglas's hand can do
in time of need! But, Davie, you that can speak to her, let her know how
deeply I thank her for what she did even now on my behalf, or rather on
puir Ringan's, and that I am trebly bound to her service though I make
no minstrel fule's work.'

David delivered his message, but did not obtain much by it for his
friend's satisfaction, for Jeanie only tossed her head and answered--

'Does the gallant cock up his bonnet because he thinks it was for his
sake. It was Elleen's doing there, firstly; and next, wadna we have done
the like for the meanest of Jamie's subjects?'

'Dinna credit her, Davie,' said Eleanor. 'Ye should have seen her start
in her saddle, and wheel round her palfrey at Malcolm's first word.'

'It wasna for him,' replied Jean hotly. 'They dinna hang the like of him
for twisting a goose's neck; it was for the puir leal laddie; and ye may
tak' that to him.'

'Shall I, Elleen?' asked David, with a twinkle in his eye of cousinly
teasing.

'An' ye do not, I shall proclaim ye in the lists at Nanci as a corbie
messenger and mansworn squire, unworthy of your spurs,' threatened
Jeanie, in all good humour however.

Suffolk, baffled in his desire to patronise the young Master of Angus,
examined both Sir Patrick and Lady Drummond as far as their caution
would allow, telling that the youth had confessed his rank and admitted
the cause--making inquiry whether the match would be held suitable in
Scotland, and why it had not taken place there--a matter difficult
to explain, since it did not merely turn upon the young lady's
ambition--which would have gone for nothing--but on the danger to the
Crown of offending rival houses. Suffolk had a good deal about him of
the flashy side of chivalr