d then beckoned
to Ludar.

"Stay here with the men. Let your squire follow me."

So Ludar stayed with the McDonnells at the gate, while I followed Sorley
Boy, amid shouts and flourish of trumpets, into the Castle. All was
prepared to do the old Chief honour. Attendants bowed, guards saluted,
and my Lord Deputy's womenkind waved handkerchiefs from the windows.
Sir John Perrott himself, all smiles, chatted affably. But never a word
spake Sorley Boy.

He stalked on at a pace which made the Deputy trot at his side, and,
heedless of lackeys, guards, ladies and all else, flung into the great
hall.

I followed as in duty bound; and beside me no man but Sir John and Sir
John's secretary.

Then followed a strange scene.

"Sir Sorley Boy," began the Deputy, motioning his guest to a high chair
on the dais, "this is a happy occasion; and I would her Majesty had a
Deputy more--"

"Enough of this," said the Chieftain impatiently. "I came not from
Dunluce to make speeches or bandy words with you. I owe _you_ naught--
or if I do, 'tis a debt you had rather I paid not."

"I," said Sir John, pulling himself up, "as representing her gracious
Majesty--"

Here Sorley Boy stalked off to where a miniature picture of her Majesty
hung on the wall.

"Is this Elizabeth?" demanded he.

"That is a presentment, far short in splendour, of her Majesty's
admirable presence," said the Deputy.

Sorley Boy took the picture in his hand and mused on it in silence. At
length:

"Pray heaven she be no worse favoured in the flesh! Yet, being a woman,
I do her homage."

And, like an old gallant, he doffed his hat, and raised the picture to
his lips.

Thus it was the McDonnell made his peace with the Sassenach. He handed
the picture to me gloomily to replace; which I did after humbly doing it
obeisance on bended knee. Then he summoned me to follow him from the
hall.

Sir John witnessed this strange scene in bewilderment and displeasure.
He had reckoned on the satisfaction of hearing his old foe renounce his
enmity and sue for terms; and it vexed him to find the ceremony thus
taken out of his hands and curtly disposed of by the proud old Scot.
Yet he knew enough of Sorley Boy to take what he could get, and must
needs pocket his pride. Only he made one effort to save his own
dignity.

"Sir Sorley, in her Majesty's name I accept your dutiful homage. It
remains for you to sign this written document of fealty, in return for
which