‘Sir, Sir!’ cried Malcolm, petulantly.  ’You took me from the straight way.  You shall not hinder my return!’

‘I hinder no true purpose,’ said King James.  ’I only hinder another rash and hasty pledge, to be felt as a fetter, or left broken on your conscience.  Silence now.  When men are sad and spent they cannot speak as befits them, and had best hold their peace.’

These words were spoken on the way up the stair that led to the apartments of the King of Scots.  On opening the door of the larger room, the first thing they saw was the tall figure of a distinguished-looking knight, who, as they entered, flung himself at King James’s feet, fervently exclaiming, ’O my liege! accept my homage!  Never was vassal so bound to his lord by thankfulness for his life, and for far more than his life!’

‘Sir Patrick Drummond, I am glad to see you better at ease,’ said James.  ‘Nay, suffer me,’ he added, giving his hand to raise the knight, but finding it grasped and kissed with passionate devotion, almost overpowering the only half-recovered knight, so that James was forced to use strength to support him, and would at once have lifted him up, but the warm-hearted Patrick resisted, almost sobbing out—­’Nay, Sir! king of my heart indeed! let me first thank you.  I knew not how much more I owed you than the poor life you saved—­my father’s rescue, and that of all that was most dear.’

‘Speak of such things seated, my good friend,’ said James, trying to raise him; but Drummond still did not second his efforts.

’I have not given my parole of honour as the captive whose life is again due to you.’

‘You must give that to the Duke of Bedford, Sir Patrick,’ said James.  ’I know not if I am to be put into ward myself.  In any case you are safe, by the good King’s grace, so you pledge yourself to draw no sword against England in Scotland or France till ransom be accepted for you.’

‘Alack!’ said Patrick, ’I have neither sword nor ransom.  I would I knew what was to be done with the life you have given me, my lord.’

‘I will find a use for it, never fear,’ said James, sadly, but kindly.  ‘Be my knight for the present, till better days come for us both.’

‘With my whole heart!’ said Patrick, fervently.  ’Yours am I for ever, my liege.’

‘Then my first command is that you should rise, and rest,’ said James, assisting the knight to regain his feet, and placing him in the only chair in the room.  ‘You must become a whole man as soon as may be.’

For Patrick’s arm was in a sling, and evidently still painful and useless, and he sank back, breathless and unresisting, like one who had by no means regained perfect health, while his handsome features looked worn and pale.  ‘I fear me,’ said James, as the two cousins silently shook hands, ’that you have moved over soon.—­You surely had my message, Bairdsbrae?’

‘Oh yes, my lord,’ replied Baird; ’but the lad was the harder to hold; and after the fever was gone, we deemed he could well brook the journey by water.  ’Twas time I was here to guide ye too, my lord; you and the callant baith look sair forfaughten.’