he ears, hurried into the room, and falling on
his knees, cried aloud, 'God save King Harry! News, news, my lord! The
Queen has safely borne you a fair son at Windsor Castle, five days
since.'

Henry did not speak, but took the messenger's hand, wrung it, and left a
costly ring there. Then, taking off his cap, he put his hands over his
face, uttering a few words of fervent thanksgiving almost within himself,
and then turning to the esquire, made further inquiries after his wife's
welfare, took from him the letter that Archbishop Chicheley had sent,
poured out a cup of wine for him, bade the lords around make him good
cheer, but craved license for himself to retire.

It was so unlike his usual hilarious manner that all looked at one
another in anxiety, and spoke of his unusual susceptibility to fatigue
and care; while the squire, looking at the rich jewel in his hand,
declared within disappointment in his tone, that he would rather have had
a mere flint stone so he had heard King Harry's own cheery voice.

James was not the least anxious of them, but long ere light the next
morning Henry stood at his bedside, saying, 'I must go round the posts
before mass, Jamie. Will you face the matin frost?'

'I am fitter to face it than thou,' said James, rising. 'Is there need
for this?'

'Great need,' said Henry. 'Here are these fresh forces all aglow within
their first zeal, and unless they are worse captains than I suppose them,
they will attempt some mischief ere long--nor is any time so slack as
cock-crow.'

James was speedily ready, and, within some suppressed sighs, so was
Malcolm, who knew himself in duty bound to attend his master, and was
kept on the alert by seeing Ralf Percy also on foot. But it was a great
relief to him that the young gentleman murmured in no measured terms
against the intolerable activity of their kings. No other attendants
went within them, since Henry was wont to patrol his camp with as little
demonstration as possible.

'I would scarcely ask a dog to come out with me this wintry morn,' said
he, as he waved back his sleepy chamberlain, Fitzhugh, and took his
brother king's arm; 'but I could not but crave a turn with thee, Jamie,
ere the hue and cry of rejoicing begins.'

'That is poor welcome for your heir,' said James.

'Poor child!' said Henry; then, after they had walked some space in
silence, he added, 'You'll mock me, but I would that this had not
befallen at Windsor. I had l