"Here are four convents of regular monks alone around this poor hamlet of Perth, and all the secular clergy besides.

Methinks a town so well garrisoned should be fit to keep out an enemy." "One traitor in a garrison, my lord," answered the prior, "can do much to destroy the security of a city which is guarded by legions; and if that one traitor is, either from levity, or love of novelty, or whatever other motive, protected and fostered by those who should be most eager to expel him from the fortress, his opportunities of working mischief will be incalculably increased." "Your words seem to aim at some one in this presence, father prior," said the Douglas; "if at me, they do me foul wrong.

I am well aware that the abbot of Aberbrothock hath made some ill advised complaints, that I suffered not his beeves to become too many for his pastures, or his stock of grain to burst the girnels of the monastery, while my followers lacked beef and their horses corn.

But bethink you, the pastures and cornfields which produced that plenty were bestowed by my ancestors on the house of Aberbrothock, surely not with the purpose that their descendant should starve in the midst of it; and neither will he, by St.
Bride! But for heresy and false doctrine," he added, striking his large hand heavily on the council table, "who is it that dare tax the Douglas?
I would not have poor men burned for silly thoughts; but my hand and sword are ever ready to maintain the Christian faith." "My lord, I doubt it not," said the prior; "so hath it ever been with your most noble house.

For the abbot's complaints, they may pass to a second day.