"There's a rumour of it," said MacLachlan, cogitating on his own
affairs, or perhaps wondering what our new interest in his company was
due to.

"Ah! it's in my blood," said John, "in my blood and bones! Argile was a
fairly good master--so to call him--but--well, you understand yourself:
a man of my kind at a time like this feels more comfortable anywhere
else than in the neighbourhood of his chief."

"I daresay," replied MacLachlan, refusing the hook, and yet with a sneer
in his accent.

"Have you heard that his lordship and I are at variance since our return
from the North?"

"Oh! there's plenty of gossip in the town," said MacLachlan. "It's
common talk that you threw your dagger in his face. My father, who's a
small chief enough so far as wealth of men and acres goes, would have
used the weapon to let out the hot blood of his insulter there and
then."

"I daresay," said M'Iver. "You're a hot-headed clan. And MacCailein has
his own ways."

"He's welcome to keep them too," answered the young fellow, his sneer
in no ways abated I became afraid that his carefully curbed tongue would
not give us our opening before we parted, and was inclined to force his
hand; but M'Iver came in quickly and more astutely.

"How?" said he; "what's your meaning? Are you in the notions that he
has anything to learn of courtesy and gallantry on the other side of the
loch at Strath-lachlan?"

MacLachlan's eyes faltered a little under his pent brows. Perhaps he
had a suspicion of the slightest that he was being goaded on for some
purpose, but if he had, his temper was too raw to let him qualify his
retort with calmness.

"Do you know, Barbreck," said he, "I would not care to say much about
what your nobleman has to learn or unlearn? As for the gallantry--good
Lord, now!--did you ever hear of one of my house leaving his men to
shift for themselves when blows were going?"

M'Iver with an utterance the least thought choked by an anger due to the
insult he had wrought for, shrugged his shoulders, and at the same time
gave me his elbow in the side for his sign.

"I'm sorry to hear you say that about Gillesbeg Gruamach," said
he. "Some days ago, half as much from you would have called for my
correction; but I'm out of his lordship's service, as the rumour rightly
goes, and seeing the manner of my leaving it was as it was, I have no
right to be his advocate now."

"But I have!" said I, hotly, stopping and facing MacLachlan, with my
ex