It is true that he is said to be a strong adherent of England and a personal favourite of Edward; that he spends much of his time in London; and is even at the present moment the king's lieutenant in Carrick and Annandale, and is waging war for him against Sir William Douglas.
Still Comyn is equally devoted to England; he is older, and less can be hoped from him.

Bruce is young; he is said to be of great strength and skill in arms, and to be one of the foremost knights in Edward's court.

He is, I hear, of noble presence, and is much loved by those with whom he comes in contact.

Did such a man determine to break with Edward, and to strive to win the crown of Scotland as a free gift of her people, instead of as a nominee of Edward, and to rule over an independent kingdom instead of an English province, he would attract all hearts to him, and may well succeed where I, as I foresee, must sooner or later fail." "But why should you fail when you have succeeded so far ?" Archie asked.
"Because I have with me but a small portion of the people of Scotland.

The whole of the northern lords hold aloof, and in the south Carrick and Annandale and Galloway are hostile.