Or is there any thing in which I can serve you, to shew my sense of your ready gallantry.» But the page, thinking it best to abide by the apology for his visit which the Lord Seyton had so aptly himself suggested, replied « that to be assured of his lordship's safety, had been the only cause of his intrusion. He judged,» he added, « he had seen him receive some hurt in the affray.»

« A trifle," said Lord Seyton; « I had but stripped my doublet, that the chirurgeon might put some dressing on the paltry scratch, when these rash boys interrupted us with their cla

mour.">

Roland Græme, making a low obeisance, was now about to depart, for, relieved from the danger of being treated as a spy, he began next to fear that his companion, Adam Woodcock, whom he had so unceremoniously quitted, would either bring him into some farther dilemma, by venturing into the hotel in quest of him, or ride off and leave him behind altogether. But Lord Seyton did not permit him to escape so easily. Tarry," he said, «young man, and let me know thy rank and name. The Seyton has of late been more wont to see friends and followers shrink from his side, than to receive aid from strangers-but a new world may come round, in which he may have the chance of rewarding his well-wishers."

-"

« My name is Roland Græme, my lord,» answered the youth, « a page, who, for the pre

sent, is in the service of Sir Halbert Glendin

ning."

"

I said so from the first," said one of the young men; « my life I will wager, that this is a shaft out of the heretic's quiver—a stratagem from first to last, to injeer into your confidence some espial of his own. They know how to teach both boys and women to play the intelligencers.»

land;

<«< That is false, if it be spoken of me,” said Ro« no man in Scotland should teach me such a foul part!»>

"

I believe thee, boy," said Seyton, « for thy strokes were too fair to be dealt

upon an understanding with those that were to receive them. Credit me, however, I little expected to have help at need from one of your master's household; and I would know what moved thee in my quarrel, to thine own endangering?»

<< So please you, my lord,» said Roland, «I think my master himself would not have stood by, and seen an honourable man borne to earth by odds, if his single arm could help him. Such, at least, is the lesson we were taught in chivalry, at the Castle of Avenel.>>

« The good seed hath fallen into good ground, young man," said Seyton; « but, alas! if thou practise such honourable war in these dishonourable days, when right is every where borne down by mastery, thy life, my poor boy, will be but a

short one.">

« Let it be short, so it be honourable," said

Roland Græme; « and permit me now, my lord, to commend me to your grace, and to take my leave. A comrade waits with my horse in the

street.">

« Take this, however, young man," said Lord Seyton, undoing from his bonnet the golden chain and medal, « and wear it for my sake.»>

With no little pride Roland Græme accepted the gift, which he hastily fastened around his bonnet, as he had seen gallants wear such an ornament, and renewing his obeisance to the baron, left the hall, traversed the court, and appeared in the street, just as Adam Woodcock, vexed and anxious at his delay, had determined to leave the horses to their fate, and go in quest of his youthful comrade. « Whose barn hast thou broken next?» he exclaimed, greatly relieved by his appearance, although his countenance indicated that he had passed through an agitating scene.

« Ask me no questions,» said Roland, leaping gaily on his horse; « but see how short time it takes to win a chain of gold,» pointing to that which he now wore.

« Now, God forbid that thou hast either stolen it, or reft it by violence,» said the falconer; « for, otherwise, I wot not how the devil thou couldst compass it. I have been often here, ay, for months at an end, and no one gave me either chain or medal.»

<< Thou seest I have got one on shorter acquaintance with the city," answered the page,

<< and set thine honest heart at rest; that which is fairly won and freely given, is neither reft nor stolen.

«

Marry, hang thee, with thy fanfarona* about thy neck!» said the falconer; « I think water will not drown, nor hemp strangle thee. Thou hast been discarded as my lady's page, to come in again as my lord's squire; and for following a noble young damsel into some great household, thou getst a chain and a medal, where another would have had the baton across his shoulders, if he missed having the dirk in his body.—But here we come in front of the old Abbey. Bear thy good luck with you when you cross these paved stones, and, by our Lady, you may brag Scotland.>>

As he spoke, they checked their horses, where the huge old vaulted entrance to the Abbey or Palace of Holyrood, crossed the termination of the street down which they had proceeded. The court-yard of the palace opened within this gloomy porch, shewing the front of an irregular pile of monastic buildings, one wing of which is still extant, forming a part of the modern palace, erected in the days of Charles I.

At the gate of the porch the falconer and page resigned their horses to the serving-man in attendance; the falconer commanding him, with

* A name given to the gold chains worn by the military men of the period. It is of Spanish origin; for the fashion of wearing these costly ornaments was much followed amongst the conquerors of the New World.

an air of authority, to carry them safely to the

stables. Avenel.

We follow," he said, « the Knight of We must bear ourselves for what we are here,» said he, in a whisper to Roland, « for every one here is looked on as they demean themselves; and he that is too modest must to the wall, as the proverb says; therefore, cock thy bonnet, man, and let us brook the causeway bravely.»

Assuming, therefore, an air of consequence, corresponding to what he supposed to be his master's importance and quality, Adam Woodcock led the way into the court-yard of the Palace of Holyrood.