To thy royal clemency I owe his life; be it my duty, then, to instil into him other principles than those which actuated him before." "But your own character, my lord, meanwhile, care ye naught for the stain supposed to rest upon it?
Thy plans sound wise, and we thank thee for thy loyalty; but we would not ye burdened your name with a deed not its own, an ye cared for the world's applause." "Not a whit, not a whit, your highness; countenanced by your grace's favor, absolved in your opinion from the barbarity others charge me with, I care not for them, I have been too long mine own conscience-keeper to heed the whispers of the world," he added, his dark brows knitting closer as he spoke.
Edward smiled grimly.

"Be it so, then," he said; "my Lord of Buchan, we understand each other.

An that boy escapes and rejoins the traitors, and is taken, his head answers for it.

An ye succeed in making him loyal as yourself, as eager a pursuer of the murderous traitor, Bruce, we will give thee the palm for policy and wisdom in our court, ourself not excepted.

And now another question; it was reported Isabella of Buchan joined the rebel's court with her _two_ children.