So there is time for me to speak of my little business with mine honest armourer here." "Does your Highness take it so ?" said the Earl, whose sanguine hopes of a change of favour at court had been too hastily excited, and were as speedily checked.

"Then so let it be for George of Dunbar." He glided away with a gloomy and displeased aspect; and thus out of the two most powerful noblemen in Scotland, at a time when the aristocracy so closely controlled the throne, the reckless heir apparent had made two enemies--the one by scornful defiance and the other by careless neglect.

He heeded not the Earl of March's departure, however, or rather he felt relieved from his importunity.
The Prince went on in indolent conversation with our armourer, whose skill in his art had made him personally known to many of the great lords about the court.
"I had something to say to thee, Smith.

Canst thou take up a fallen link in my Milan hauberk ?" "As well, please your Highness, as my mother could take up a stitch in the nets she wove.

The Milaner shall not know my work from his own." "Well, but that was not what I wished of thee just now," said the Prince, recollecting himself: "this poor glee woman, good Smith, she must be placed in safety.