hus, for it is my fitting garb. Only I would
remove the soil of the journey, and then take my sister by the hand.'

For this there was ample time, and Malcolm had arranged his hair, and
brushed away the dust from his gown, washed his face and hands, and made
himself look more like an Oxford bachelor, and less like a begging clerk,
than he had of late judged it prudent to appear, ere Ralf took him to the
great hall, where he found Lord Northumberland and the chief gentlemen of
his household, with his mother, Lady Percy, and his young wife, together
with their ladies, assembling for the reception of their royal guests.

Malcolm was presented to, and kindly greeted by, each of the principal
personages, and then the Earl, Sir Ralf, and their officers went forth to
meet the King at the gateway. Malcolm, however, at his sister's
entreaty, remained with her, for in the doubt whether Patrick were really
at hand, and a fond unreasonable vexation that he had had no part in her
liberation, her colour was coming and going, and she looked as if she
might almost faint in her intense excitement.

But when, marshalled by the two Percies, King James and Queen Joan had
entered the hall, and the blare of trumpets without and rejoicings
within, and had been welcomed with deep reverences by the two ladies,
Ralf said: 'Sir, methinks you have here what you may be glad to see.'

And standing aside, he made way for the two figures to stand forth, one
in the plain black gown and hood, the other in the rich robes of a high-
born maiden, her dark eyes on the ground, her fair face quivering within
emotion, as both she and her brother bent the knee before their royal
master.

'Ha!' cried James, 'this is well indeed. Thou hast her, then, lad? See,
Patrick! Where is he? Nay, but, fair wife, I must present thee the
first kinswoman of mine thou hast seen. How didst bring her off,
Malcolm?' And he embraced Malcolm with the ardour of a happy man, as he
added, 'This is all that was wanting.'

Truly James looked as if nothing were wanting to his joy, as there he
stood after his years of waiting, a bridegroom, free, and on the borders
of his native land. His eyes shone with joy, and there was a bright
energy and alacrity in his bearing that, when Malcolm bethought him of
those former grave movements, and the quiet demeanour as though only
interested by an effort, marked the change from the captive to the free
man. And beautiful Joan, lovelier