THE BOWER BY YON BURNSIDE And ever as he gazed at her the Earl of Douglas grew more and more in love with the Lady Sybilla.

There was no covert side through which a burn plunged downward from the steep side of Moorfoot, but they wandered it alone together.

Early and late they might have been met, he with his face turned upon her, and she looking straight forward with the same inscrutable calm.

And all who saw left them alone as they took their way to gather flowers like children, or, as it might be, stood still and silent like a pair of lovers under the evening star.

For in these summer days and nights bloomed untiringly the brief passion-flower of William Douglas's life.
Meanwhile Sholto gritted his teeth in impotent rage, but had nothing to do save change guard and keep a wary eye upon the Chancellor, who went about rubbing his hands and glancing sidelong as the copses closed behind the Earl of Douglas and the Lady Sybilla.