"Then I have reflected. Douglas shall release my father's sister's son, or I shall cleave him to the beard in his own hall!" exclaimed Gray, with a sudden burst of passion.
"That would not mend the matter much; and I should only be in thee but one faithful subject the less, and faithful subjects are rather scarce at present. Alas! my valiant friend, this strong traitor is likely to hang thee like a faulty hound--even as he hanged the gentle and noble Herries of Terregles."
"I have given my word to ride on this perilous errand, and, with your majesty's permission, go I shall," said Gray, resolutely.
"Good," said the chancellor, striking his long cane on the oak floor; "a soldier's word is his bond for weal or woe."
"In the cause of our king and kindred, I will do all that MacLellan would, were he free. Oh! your highness, write at once; furnish me with due credentials; time in this is precious, and the waste of it perilous!"
"So soon as I can get my horse and armour; within an hour, I shall have left these new walls of Edinburgh many a mile behind me."
"'Tis well--good service is ever promptly done."
"I am the subject and soldier of your majesty," replied Gray, bowing with modest confidence.
"And a faithful one!" added the king, giving his hand to his favourite, who was now in his thirty-fifth year, with a fine martial face, a clear bright eye, and a heart that was brave as it was tender and true. "But know you the language of these wild men among whom you are venturing--the _fremit_ Scots of Galloway?"
"I know but little more than our Lowland tongue, with a smattering of Flemish and French, picked up when I had more leisure than desire to learn them--the castle of Bommel; yet I can make a shift to use others, too, that are more universally known."
"I can make love to the women and show my purse to the men," said Gray, with a gaiety that was half assumed; "I'll warrant they will both understand me."
"I fear me, Sir Patrick, you may have to show your sword more frequently, on a king's errand though you be; but within an hour a letter shall be prepared."
"And within that time, with the permission of your highness, I shall be armed and mounted," said Gray, bowing low again and retiring in haste.