THE GABERLUNZIE MAN The next morning the Chancellor came down early from his chamber, and finding Earl Douglas already waiting in the courtyard, he rubbed his hands and called out cheerfully: "We shall be more lonely to-day, but perhaps even more gay.

For there are many things men delight in which even the fairest ladies care not for, fearing mayhap some invasion of their dominions." "What mean you, my Lord Chancellor ?" said the Douglas to his host, eagerly scanning the upper windows meanwhile.
"I mean," said the Chancellor, fawningly, "that his Excellency, the ambassador of France, hath ridden away under cloud of night, and hath taken his fair ward with him." The Earl turned pale and stood glowering at the obsequious Chancellor as if unable to comprehend the purport of his words.

At last he commanded himself sufficiently to speak.
"Was this resolution sudden, or did the Lady Sybilla know of it yesternight ?" "Nay, of a surety it was quite sudden," replied the Chancellor.

"A message arrived from the Queen Mother to the Marshal de Retz requesting an immediate meeting on business of state, whereupon I offered my Castle of Edinburgh for the purpose as being more convenient than Stirling.

So I doubt not that they are all met there, the young King being of the party.