timid hunter who sees the lion
half in and half out of the snare.

"I have a letter for you, my Lord Douglas," he said, after a long
pause.

"Ah," cried Douglas, with obvious relief, "why did you not tell me so
at first. Pray give it me."

"I knew not whether it might afford you pleasure or no," answered the
Chancellor.

"Give it me!" cried Douglas, imperiously, as though he spoke to an
underling.

Sir William Crichton drew a square parcel from beneath his long-furred
gown, and handed it to William Douglas, who, without stepping back,
instantly broke the seal.

"Pshaw," cried he, contemptuously, "it is from the Queen Mother and
Alexander Livingston!"

He thought it had been from another, and his disappointment was
written clear upon his face.

"Even so," said the Chancellor, suavely; "it was delivered by the same
servant who brought the message which called away the ambassador and
his companion."

The Earl read it from beginning to end. After the customary greetings
and good wishes the letter ran as follows:

"The King greatly desires to see his noble cousin of Douglas
at the castle of Edinburgh, presently put at his Majesty's
disposal by the High Chancellor of Scotland. Here in this
place are now assembled all the men who desire the peace and
assured prosperity of the realm, saving the greatest of all,
my Lord and kinsman of Douglas. The King sends affectionate
greeting to his cousin, and desires that he also may come
thither, that the ambassador of France may carry back to his
master a favourable report of the unity and kindly
governance of the kingdom during his minority."

The Chancellor watched the Earl as he read this letter. To one more
suspicious than William Douglas it would have been clear that he was
himself perfectly acquainted with the contents.

"I am bidden meet the King at the Castle of Edinburgh," said Douglas;
"I will set out at once."

"Nay, my lord," said Crichton, "not this day, at least. Stay and hunt
the stag on the braes of Borthwick. My huntsmen have marked down a
swift and noble buck. To-morrow to Edinburgh an you will!"

"I thank you, Sir William," the Douglas answered, curtly enough; "but
the command is peremptory. I must ride to Edinburgh this very day."

"I pray you remember that Edinburgh is a turbulent city and little
inclined to love your great house. Is it, think you, wise to go
thither with so small a retinue?"