account, and his country’s, seemed to swallow up all other thoughts; as to himself, when he bade his friends and masters farewell, he declared it was merely for a time, and when they shook their heads and augured otherwise, he replied:  ’Nay, think you I could live in the Cimmerian darkness yonder, dear sirs?  Our poor country hath nothing better than mere monastery schools, and light of science having once shone on me, I cannot but dwell in her courts for ever!  Soon shall I be altogether her son and slave!’

Nevertheless, Malcolm was full of eagerness, and pressed on rapidly through the lanes between Oxford and Windsor, rejoicing to find himself amid the noble trees of the forest, over which arose in all its grandeur the Castle and Round Tower, as beautiful though less unique than now, and bearing on it the royal standard, for the little King was still nursed there.

Under the vaulted gateway James—­with Patrick and Bairdsbrae behind him—­met Malcolm, and threw his arms round him, crying:  ’Ay, kiss me, boy; ’tis a king and no caitiff you kiss now!  Another six weeks, and then for the mountain and the moor and the bonnie north countree.’

‘And why not for a month?’ was Malcolm’s question, as hand and eye and face responded heartily.

’Why?  Why, because moneys must be told down, and treaties signed; ay, and Lent is no time for weddings, nor March for southland roses to travel to our cold winds.  Ay, Malcolm, you see a bridegroom that is to be!  Did you think I was going home without her?’

’I did not think you would be in such glee even at being free, my lord, if you were.’

’And now, Malcolm, ken ye of ony fair Scottish lassie—­a cousin of mine ain, who could be had to countenance my bride at our wedding, and ride with us thereafter to Scotland?’

‘I know whom your Grace means,’ said Malcolm, smiling.

’An if you do, maybe, Malcolm, sin she bides not far frae the border, ye’d do me the favour of riding with Sir Patrick here, and bringing her to the bridal,’ said the King, making his accent more home-like and Scottish than Malcolm had ever heard it before.

The happiness of that spring afternoon was surpassing.  The King linked his arm into Malcolm’s, and walked up and down with him on the slopes, telling him all that had led to this consummation; how Walter Stewart and his brothers had become so insolent and violent as to pass the endurance of their father the Regent, as well as of all honest Scots; and how, after secret negotiations and vain endeavours to obtain from him a pledge of indemnity for all that had happened, the matter had been at length opened with Gloucester, Beaufort, and the Council.  The Scottish nation, with Albany at the head, was really recalling the King.  This was the condition on which Henry V. had always declared that he should be liberated; these were the terms on which he had always hoped to return; and his patience was at last rewarded.  Bedford had sent his joyful consent, and all was now concluded.  James was really free, and waited only for his marriage.