“I must pray your Majesty to dismiss me,” said Alizon.  “It is a sight in which at any time I take small pleasure, and now it is especially distasteful to me.  With your permission, I will proceed to Hoghton Tower.”

“I also crave your Majesty’s leave to go with her,” said Dorothy.

“I will attend them,” interposed Richard.

“Na, you maun stay wi’ us, young sir,” cried the King.  “Your gude father will gang wi’ ’em.  Sir John Finett,” he added, calling to the master of the ceremonies, and speaking in his ear, “see that they be followed, and that a special watch be kept over Alizon, and also over this youth,—­d’ye mark me?—­in fact, ower a’ the Assheton clan.  And now,” he cried in a loud voice, “let them blaw the strake.”

The chief huntsman having placed the bugle to his lips, and blown a strike with two winds, a short consultation was held between him and James, who loved to display his knowledge as a woodsman; and while this was going forward, Nicholas and Sherborne having come up, the squire dismounted, and committing Robin to his brother-in-law, approached the monarch.

“If I may be so bold as to put in a word, my liege,” he said, “I can show you where a hart of ten is assuredly harboured.  I viewed him as I rode through the park this morning, and cannot, therefore, be mistaken.  His head is high and well palmed, great beamed and in good proportion, well burred and well pearled.  He is stately in height, long, and well fed.”

“Did you mark the slot, sir?” inquired James.

“I did, my liege,” replied Nicholas.  “And a long slot it was; the toes great, with round short joint-bones, large shin-bones, and the dew-claws close together.  I will uphold him for a great old hart as ever proffered, and one that shall shew your Majesty rare sport.”

“And we’ll tak your word for the matter, sir,” said James; “for ye’re as gude a woodman as any we hae in our dominions.  Bring us to him, then.”

“Will it please your Majesty to ride towards yon glade?” said Nicholas, “and, before you reach it, the hart shall be roused.”

James, assenting to the arrangement, Nicholas sprang upon his steed, and, calling to the chief huntsman, they galloped off together, accompanied by the bloodhound, the royal cavalcade following somewhat more slowly in the same direction.  A fair sight it was to see that splendid company careering over the plain, their feathered caps and gay mantles glittering in the sun, which shone brightly upon them.  The morning was lovely, giving promise that the day, when further advanced, would be intensely hot, but at present it was fresh and delightful, and the whole company, exhilarated by the exercise, and by animated conversation, were in high spirits; and perhaps amongst the huge party, which numbered nearly three hundred persons, one alone was a prey to despair.  But though Richard Assheton suffered thus internally, he bore his anguish with Spartan firmness, resolved, if possible, to let no trace of it be visible in his features or deportment; and he so far succeeded in conquering himself, that the King, who kept a watchful eye upon him, remarked to Sir John Finett as they rode along, that a singular improvement had taken place in the young man’s appearance.