Rothsay drew a cushion near to his father's feet, and threw himself carelessly down upon it, while the King resumed.
"I was regretting that the Earl of March, having separated warm from my hand with full assurance that he should receive compensation for everything which he could complain of as injurious, should have been capable of caballing with Northumberland against his own country.

Is it possible he could doubt our intentions to make good our word ?" "I will answer for him--no," said the Prince.

"March never doubted your Highness's word.

Marry, he may well have made question whether your learned counsellors would leave your Majesty the power of keeping it." Robert the Third had adopted to a great extent the timid policy of not seeming to hear expressions which, being heard, required, even in his own eyes, some display of displeasure.

He passed on, therefore, in his discourse, without observing his son's speech, but in private Rothsay's rashness augmented the displeasure which his father began to entertain against him.
"It is well the Douglas is on the marches," said the King.