s that Mother Clare and King Henry had inspired, and
that Lady Drummond had done her best to keep up.

Duke Sigismund had communicated to Sir Patrick his intention of making a
formal request to King James for the hand of the Lady Eleanor. He was
to find an envoy to make his proposal in due form, who would join Sir
Patrick at Terreforte after the wedding was over, so as to go with the
party to Scotland.

Meantime, with many fond embraces and tears, Lady Drummond took leave
of her princesses, and they owned themselves to feel as if a protecting
wall had been taken away in her and her husband.

'It is folly, though, thus to speak,' said Jean, 'when we have our
sister, and her husband, and his father, and all his Court to protect
us.'

'We ought to be happy,' said Eleanor gravely. 'Outside here at Nanci,
it is all that my fancy ever shaped, and yet--and yet there is a strange
sense of fear beyond.'

'Oh, talk not that gate,' cried Jean, 'as thou wilt be having thy
gruesome visions!'

'No; it is not of that sort,' returned Eleanor. 'I trow not! It may be
rather the feeling of the vanity of all this world's show.'

'Oh, for mercy's sake, dinna let us have clavers of that sort, or we
shall have thee in yon nunnery!' exclaimed Jean. 'See this girdle of
Maggie's, which she has given me. Must I not make another hole to draw
it up enough for my waist?'

'Jean herself was much disappointed when Margaret, with great regret,
told her that the Dauphin had to go out of his way to visit some castles
on his way to Chalons sur Marne, and that he could not encumber his
hosts with so large a train as the presence of two royal ladies rendered
needful. They were, therefore, to travel by another route, leading
through towns where there were hostels. Madame de Ste. Petronelle was to
go with them, and an escort of trusty Scots archers, and all would meet
again in a fortnight's time.

All sounded simple and easy, and Margaret repeated, 'It will be a troop
quite large enough to defend you from all ecorcheurs; indeed, they dare
not come near our Scottish archers, whom Messire, my husband, has told
off for your escort. And you will have your own squire,' she added,
looking at Jean.

'That's as he lists,' said Jean scornfully.

'Ah, Jeanie, Jeanie, thou mayst have to rue it if thou turn'st lightly
from a leal heart.'

'I'm not damsel-errant of romance, as thou and Elleen would fain be,'
said Jean.

'Nay,' said Margaret, 'love is not