‘From Windsor? no,’ said James; ’but set me in the saddle, let me learn war under such a captain as yourself, and maybe they will not take the field against me; or if they do, the slayer of Clarence shall rue it.’

‘Be it so,’ said Henry, wringing his hand.  ’You shall with me to France, Jamie, and see war.  The Scots should flock to the Lion rampant, and without them the French are mo better than deer, under the fool and murderer they call Dauphin.  Yet, alas! will any success give me back my brother—­my brother, the brave and true?’ he added, weeping again within time abandon of an open nature and simple age.  ’It was for my sins, my forgetfulness of my great work, that this has come on me.—­Ho, Marmion! carry these tidings from me to the Dean; pray him that the knell be tolled at the Minster, and a requiem sung for my brother and all who fell with him.  We will be there ourselves, and the mayor must hold us excused from his banquet; these men are too loyal not to grieve for their King.’

And, with his arm round the neck of his brother John, Henry left the room; and before another word could be said, Sir Nigel was there, having only retired on the King’s entrance.  The news was of course all over the house, and with an old attendant’s freedom he exclaimed, ’So, Sir, the English have found tough cummers at last!’

‘Not too honourably,’ said James, sadly.

’Hout, would not the puir loons be glad enow of any gate of coming by a clout at the man’s brother that keeps you captive!’

‘They have taken away one of those I loved best!’ said James.

‘I’m no speaking ill of the lad Clarence himself,’ said Nigel; ’he was a braw youth, leal and bold, and he has died in his helm and spurs, as a good knight should.  I’d wish none of these princes a waur ending.  Moreover, could Swinton have had the wit to keep him living, he’d have been a bonnie barter for you, my Lord; but ony way the fight was a gallant one, and the very squire that brought the tidings cannot deny that our Scots fought like lions.’

‘Would Douglas but so fight in any good quarrel!’ sighed the King.  ’But what are you longing to ask, Malcolm?  Is it for your kinsman Patrick?  I fear me that there is little chance of your hearing by name of him.’

‘I wot not,’ said Sir Nigel; ’I did but ask for that hare-brained young cousin of mine, Davie Baird, that must needs be off on this journey to France; and the squire tells me he was no herald, to be answerable for the rogues that fought on the other side.’

‘We shall soon see for ourselves,’ said James; ’I am to make this campaign.’

’You! you, my liege!  Against your own ally, and under the standard of England!  Woe’s me, how could ye be so lost!’