Let me bear the weight of my own folly, but spare those who have been my tools rather than my accomplices.

Remember, Ramorny was preferred to my service by my sainted mother." "Name her not, David, I charge thee," said the King; "she is happy that she never saw the child of her love stand before her doubly dishonoured by guilt and by falsehood." "I am indeed unworthy to name her," said the Prince; "and yet, my dear father, in her name I must petition for Ramorny's life." "If I might offer my counsel," said the Duke of Albany, who saw that a reconciliation would soon take place betwixt the father and son, "I would advise that Ramorny be dismissed from the Prince's household and society, with such further penalty as his imprudence may seem to merit.
The public will be contented with his disgrace, and the matter will be easily accommodated or stifled, so that his Highness do not attempt to screen his servant." "Wilt thou, for my sake, David," said the King, with a faltering voice and the tear in his eye, "dismiss this dangerous man ?--for my sake, who could not refuse thee the heart out of my bosom ?" "It shall be done, my father--done instantly," the Prince replied; and seizing the pen, he wrote a hasty dismissal of Ramorny from his service, and put it into Albany's hands.

"I would I could fulfil all your wishes as easily, my royal father," he added, again throwing himself at the King's feet, who raised him up and fondly folded him in his arms.
Albany scowled, but was silent; and it was not till after the space of a minute or two that he said: "This matter being so happily accommodated, let me ask if your Majesty is pleased to attend the evensong service in the chapel ?" "Surely," said the King.

"Have I not thanks to pay to God, who has restored union to my family?
You will go with us, brother ?" "So please your Grace to give me leave of absence--no," said the Duke.
"I must concert with the Douglas and others the manner in which we may bring these Highland vultures to our lure." Albany retired to think over his ambitious projects, while the father and son attended divine service, to thank God for their happy reconciliation..