"I never did aught but what was in honour towards his royal Grace the Duke of Rothsay, and never received unkindness from him in word, look, or deed; and I cannot think he would have given aim to such base practice." "Was it in honour that you threw his Highness from the ladder in Curfew Street upon Fastern's [St.Valentine's] Even ?" said Bonthron; "or think you the favour was received kindly or unkindly ?" This was so boldly said, and seemed so plausible, that it shook the smith's opinion of the Prince's innocence.
"Alas, my lord," said he, looking sorrowfully towards Rothsay, "could your Highness seek an innocent fellow's life for doing his duty by a helpless maiden?
I would rather have died in these lists than live to hear it said of the Bruce's heir!" "Thou art a good fellow, Smith," said the Prince; "but I cannot expect thee to judge more wisely than others.

Away with that convict to the gallows, and gibbet him alive an you will, that he may speak falsehood and spread scandal on us to the last prolonged moment of his existence!" So saying, the Prince turned away from the lists, disdaining to notice the gloomy looks cast towards him, as the crowd made slow and reluctant way for him to pass, and expressing neither surprise nor displeasure at a deep, hollow murmur, or groan, which accompanied his retreat.

Only a few of his own immediate followers attended him from the field, though various persons of distinction had come there in his train.

Even the lower class of citizens ceased to follow the unhappy Prince, whose former indifferent reputation had exposed him to so many charges of impropriety and levity, and around whom there seemed now darkening suspicions of the most atrocious nature.
He took his slow and thoughtful way to the church of the Dominicans; but the ill news, which flies proverbially fast, had reached his father's place of retirement before he himself appeared.

On entering the palace and inquiring for the King, the Duke of Rothsay was surprised to be informed that he was in deep consultation with the Duke of Albany, who, mounting on horseback as the Prince left the lists, had reached the convent before him.