Who comes with a troop of soldiers here ?" It was indeed the heavy trampling of many horse, at first so distant as scarcely to be distinguished, save by ears anxious and startled as old Dermid's; but nearer and nearer they came, till even the inmates of the house all huddled, together in alarm.

Agnes remained standing, her hand on Dermid's arm, her head thrown back, her features bearing an expression scarce to be defined.

The horses' hoofs, mingled with the clang of armor, rung sharp and clear on the stones of the courtyard.
They halted: the pommel of a sword was struck against the oaken door, and a night's lodging courteously demanded.

The terror of the owners of the house subsided, for the voice they heard was Scotch.
The door was thrown open, the request granted, with the same hospitality as had been extended to the minstrel and the page.

On the instant there was a confused sound of warriors dismounting, of horses eager for stabling and forage; and one tall and stately figure, clad from head to foot in mail, entered the house, and removing his helmet, addressed some words of courteous greeting and acknowledgment to its inmates.