e elsewhere.'

'So,' said James, much vexed, 'this is the meek lad that wanted to hide
in a convent from an ill world, flying off from his king and kinsman that
he may break down honest men's doors at his will.'

'That I may be free from insult, Sir.'

'You think John of Buchan like to cosset you! You found the Black
Douglas so courtly to me the other day as to expect him to be tender to
this nicety of yours! Malcolm, as your prince and guardian, I forbid
this folly, and command you to lay aside this fit of malice and do your
devoir. What! sobbing, silly lad--where's your manhood?'

'Sir, Sir, what will they think of me--the Lady Esclairmonde and all--if
they hear I have sat down tamely with a blow?'

'She will never think about you at all but as a sullen malapert ne'er-do-
weel, if you go off to that camp of _routiers_, trying to prop a bad
cause because you cannot take correction, nor observe discipline.'

A sudden suspicion came over Malcolm that the King would not thus make
light of the offence, if it had really been the inexpiable insult he had
supposed it, and the thought was an absolute relief; for in effect the
parting from James, and joining the party opposed to Esclairmonde's
friends, would have been so tremendous a step, that he could hardly have
contemplated it in his sober senses, and he murmured, 'My honour, Sir,'
in a tone that James understood.

'Oh, for your honour--you need not fear for that! Any knight in the army
could have done as much without prejudice to your honour. Why, you silly
loon, d'ye think I would not have been as angered as yourself, if your
honour had been injured?'

Malcolm's heart felt easier, but he still growled. 'Then, Sir, if you
assure me that I can do so without detriment to my honour, I will not
quit you.'

James laughed. 'It might have been more graciously spoken, my good
cousin, but I am beholden to you.'

Malcolm, ashamed and vexed at the sarcastic tone, held his tongue for a
little while, but presently exclaimed, 'Will the Bishop of Therouenne
hear of it?'

James laughed. 'Belike not; or, if he should, it would only seem to him
the reasonable training of a young squire.'

The King did not say what crossed his own mind, that the Bishop of
Therouenne was more likely to think Henry over-strict in discipline, and
absurdly rigorous.

The prelate, Charles de Luxemburg, brother to the Count de St. Pol, had
made several visits to the English camp. He was on