ves above all law. The only curiosity was, for which of
these acts they were to be tried, and this affected many of their judges
likewise; for there was hardly a man in that court who was not conscious
of some deed that would not exactly bear to be set beside the code of
Scotland, and who had not been in the habit of regarding those laws as
all very well for burghers, but not meant for gentlemen.

There, on seats behind the throne, sat the twenty-one jurors, Earl
Douglas among them--a new earl, for the grim old Archibald had died in
the battle of Verneuil some months before. Angus, March, and Mar, and
all the most powerful names in Scotland, were there; and upon his throne,
in regal robes of crimson and ermine, the crown upon his brow, the
sceptre in his hand, the sword of state held before him, sat King James,
the most magnificent-looking king then reigning in Europe, but with the
sternest, saddest, most resolute of countenances, as one unalterably
fixed upon the terrible duty of not bearing the sword in vain. Something
of Henry's avenging-angel look seemed to have passed into his face, but
with far more of melancholy weight.

Walter Stewart was led into the court. He too was a man of lofty stature
and princely bearing, and his grand Stewart features were set in an
expression of easy nonchalance and scorn; aware as he was that of
whatever he might be accused, there were few of his judges that did not
share the guilt, and moreover persuaded that this was a mere ceremony,
and that the King would never dare to go beyond this futile attempt to
overawe him. He stood alone--his father and the others were reserved for
another trial; and as, richly arrayed, he stood opposite to the jury,
gazing fixedly first at one, then at the other, as though challenging
their right to sit in judgment on him, one eye after another fell beneath
his gaze.

'Walter Stewart of Albany, Earl of Fife,' proclaimed the crier's voice.
'You stand here arraigned of murder and of robbery.'

'At whose suit?' demanded Walter, undaunted.

'At the suit of Malcolm and Lilias Stewart of Glenuskie; and of Patrick
Drummond of the Braes,' returned the crier, an ecclesiastic, as were all
lawyers; and at the same moment three figures came forward, namely, a
tall knightly gentleman with gold chain and spurs, a lady whose veil
disclosed a blushing dark-eyed face, and a slender youth of deep and
earnest countenance. 'At the suit of these here present you sta