e but one of the archer guard, yesterday you
were made its captain, to-day I dub you knight for the strong courage
of the heart that is within, and the valiant service which this day
you did your lord. Rise, Sir Sholto!"

But for all that he rose not immediately, for the head of the young
man whirled, and little drumming pulses beat in his temples. His heart
cried within him like the overword of a song, "Does she hear? Will she
care? Will this bring me nearer to her?" So that, in spite of his
lord's command, he continued to kneel, till lusty James of Avondale
came and caught him by the elbow. "Up, Sir Knight, and give grace and
good thank to your lord. Not your head but mine hath a right to be
muzzy with the coup I gat this day on the green meadow of the Boat
Croft."

And practical William of Avondale whispered in his cousin's ear, "And
the lands for the youth that we spoke of."

"Moreover," said the Earl, "that you may suitably support the
knighthood which your sword has won, I freely bestow on you the
forty-shilling lands of Aireland and Lincolns with Screel and Ben
Gairn, on condition that you and yours shall keep the watch-fires laid
ready for the lighting, and that in time you rear you sturdy yeomen to
bear in the Douglas train the banneret of MacKim of Aireland."

Sholto stood before his generous lord trembling and speechless, while
James Douglas shook him by the elbow and encouraged him roughly, "Say
thy say, man; hast lost thy tongue?"

But William Douglas nodded approval of the youth.

"Nay," he said, "let alone, James! I like the lad the better that he
hath no ready tongue. 'Tis not the praters that fight as this youth
hath fought this day!"

So all that Sholto found himself able to do, was no more than to kneel
on one knee and kiss his master's hand.

"I am too young," he muttered. "I am not worthy."

"Nay," said his master, "but you have fairly won your spurs. They made
me a knight when I was but two years of my age, and I cried all the
time for my nurse, your good mother, who, when she came, comforted me
with pap. Surely it was right that I should make a place for my
foster-brother within the goodly circle of the Douglas knights."

[Illustration: "I AM TOO YOUNG," HE MUTTERED; "I AM NOT WORTHY."]

CHAPTER XXIV

THE SECOND FLOUTING OF MAUD LINDESAY

Sholto MacKim stood on the lowest step of the ascent into the noble
gateway of Thrieve, hardly able to believe in his own good fortune.