There was reason to fear that the session which was about to commence would be stormy.

In such circumstances the Lord High Commissioner might think that it would be prudent to appease the anger of the Estates by offering an almost irresistible bait to their cupidity.

If such was the policy of Tweeddale, it was, for the moment, eminently successful.

The Parliament, which met burning with indignation, was soothed into good humour.

The blood of the murdered Macdonalds continued to cry for vengeance in vain.