k for thee and this damsel. My alliance with the Douglas
gives me some interest with Marjory, Duchess of Rothsay, his daughter,
the neglected wife of our wilful Prince. Rely on it, good glover, that
in her retinue thy daughter will be as secure as in a fenced castle. The
Duchess keeps house now at Falkland, a castle which the Duke of Albany,
to whom it belongs, has lent to her for her accommodation. I cannot
promise you pleasure, Fair Maiden; for the Duchess Marjory of Rothsay
is unfortunate, and therefore splenetic, haughty, and overbearing;
conscious of the want of attractive qualities, therefore jealous of
those women who possess them. But she is firm in faith and noble in
spirit, and would fling Pope or prelate into the ditch of her castle who
should come to arrest any one under her protection. You will therefore
have absolute safety, though you may lack comfort."

"I have no title to more," said Catharine; "and deeply do I feel the
kindness that is willing to secure me such honourable protection. If she
be haughty, I will remember she is a Douglas, and hath right, as being
such, to entertain as much pride as may become a mortal; if she be
fretful, I will recollect that she is unfortunate, and if she be
unreasonably captious, I will not forget that she is my protectress.
Heed no longer for me, my lord, when you have placed me under the noble
lady's charge. But my poor father, to be exposed amongst these wild and
dangerous people!"

"Think not of that, Catharine," said the glover: "I am as familiar with
brogues and bracken as if I had worn them myself. I have only to fear
that the decisive battle may be fought before I can leave this country;
and if the clan Quhele lose the combat, I may suffer by the ruin of my
protectors."

"We must have that cared for," said Sir Patrick: "rely on my looking out
for your safety. But which party will carry the day, think you?"

"Frankly, my Lord Provost, I believe the Clan Chattan will have the
worse: these nine children of the forest form a third nearly of the band
surrounding the chief of Clan Quhele, and are redoubted champions."

"And your apprentice, will he stand to it, thinkest thou?"

"He is hot as fire, Sir Patrick," answered the glover; "but he is also
unstable as water. Nevertheless, if he is spared, he seems likely to be
one day a brave man."

"But, as now, he has some of the white doe's milk still lurking about
his liver, ha, Simon?"

"He has little experience,