Perhaps He takes more interest in it than in the concerns of this other world He hath made." The son of Malise MacKim gripped himself, as it were, with both hands, and turned a face pale as marble to look into the grim countenance which hid the soul of the Lord of Machecoul.
Gilles de Retz appeared to peruse each feature of the boy's person as if he read in a book.

Yet even as Laurence gave back glance for glance, and with the memory of what he had seen yet fresh upon him, a strange courage began to glow in the heart of the young Scot.

There came a kind of contempt, too, into his breast, as though he had it in him to be a man in despite of the devil and all his works.
The marshal continued his scrutiny, and Laurence returned his gaze with interest.
"Well, boy," said the marshal, smiling as if not ill pleased at his boldness, "what do you think of me ?" "I think, sir," said Laurence, simply, "that you have grown older since I saw you in the lists at Thrieve." It seemed to Laurence that the words were given him.

And all the time he was saying to himself: "Now I have done it.

For this he will surely put me to death.