The thing that struck him most in the faces of the girls was their mobility, the expression changing as it seemed in an instant from grave to gay--flushing at one moment with interest at the tale of deeds of valour, paling at the next at the recital of cruel oppression and wrong.

When Archie had finished his narrative he presented to the chief a beautifully wrought chain of gold as a token from the King of Scotland.
The chief was silent for some time after the interpreter concluded Archie's narrative; then he said: "Sir knight, it almost seems to me as if I had been listening to the tale of the wrongs of Ireland, save that it appears that the mastery of the English here has been more firmly established than with you.

This may be from the nature of the country; our hills are, for the most part, bare, while yours, you say, are covered with forest.

Thus the Normans could more easily, when they had once gained the upper hand, crush out the last vestiges of opposition than they could with you.

As I judge from what you say, the English in Scotland hold all the fortresses, and when the people rise they remain sheltered in them until assistance comes from England.