any; "and well do I hope that the
connexion betwixt the Prince and Ramorny has not been renewed since he
seemed to comply with your Grace's wishes."

"Seemed to comply! The connexion renewed!" said the King. "What mean you
by these expressions, brother? Surely, when David promised to me that,
if that unhappy matter of Curfew Street were but smothered up and
concealed, he would part with Ramorny, as he was a counsellor thought
capable of involving him in similar fooleries, and would acquiesce
in our inflicting on him either exile or such punishment as it should
please us to impose--surely you cannot doubt that he was sincere in his
professions, and would keep his word? Remember you not that, when you
advised that a heavy fine should be levied upon his estate in Fife in
lieu of banishment, the Prince himself seemed to say that exile would be
better for Ramorny, and even for himself?"

"I remember it well, my royal brother. Nor, truly, could I have
suspected Ramorny of having so much influence over the Prince, after
having been accessory to placing him in a situation so perilous, had
it not been for my royal kinsman's own confession, alluded to by your
Grace, that, if suffered to remain at court, he might still continue to
influence his conduct. I then regretted I had advised a fine in place
of exile. But that time is passed, and now new mischief has occurred,
fraught with much peril to your Majesty, as well as to your royal heir,
and to the whole kingdom."

"What mean you, Robin?" said the weak minded King. "By the tomb of our
parents! by the soul of Bruce, our immortal ancestor! I entreat thee, my
dearest brother, to take compassion on me. Tell me what evil threatens
my son, or my kingdom?"

The features of the King, trembling with anxiety, and his eyes brimful
of tears, were bent upon his brother, who seemed to assume time for
consideration ere he replied.

"My lord, the danger lies here. Your Grace believed that the Prince had
no accession to this second aggression upon the citizens of Perth--the
slaughter of this bonnet making fellow, about whose death they clamour,
as a set of gulls about their comrade, when one of the noisy brood is
struck down by a boor's shaft."

"Their lives," said the King, "are dear to themselves and their friends,
Robin."

"Truly, ay, my liege; and they make them dear to us too, ere we can
settle with the knaves for the least blood wit. But, as I said, your
Majesty thinks the Prince h