Now, tell me, John Ramorny, how thou hast dealt to get the Fair Maid of Perth out of the hands of yonder bull headed provost; for Errol told me it was rumoured that she was under his protection." "Truly she was, my lord, with the purpose of being transferred to the patronage of the Duchess--I mean of the Lady Marjory of Douglas.

Now, this beetle headed provost, who is after all but a piece of blundering valiancy, has, like most such, a retainer of some slyness and cunning, whom he uses in all his dealings, and whose suggestions he generally considers as his own ideas.

Whenever I would possess myself of a landward baron, I address myself to such a confidant, who, in the present case, is called Kitt Henshaw, an old skipper upon the Tay, and who, having in his time sailed as far as Campvere, holds with Sir Patrick Charteris the respect due to one who has seen foreign countries.
This his agent I have made my own, and by his means have insinuated various apologies in order to postpone the departure of Catharine for Falkland." "But to what good purpose ?" "I know not if it is wise to tell your Highness, lest you should disapprove of my views.

I meant the officers of the Commission for inquiry into heretical opinions should have found the Fair Maid at Kinfauns, for our beauty is a peevish, self willed swerver from the church; and certes, I designed that the knight should have come in for his share of the fines and confiscations that were about to be inflicted.

The monks were eager enough to be at him, seeing he hath had frequent disputes with them about the salmon tithe." "But wherefore wouldst thou have ruined the knight's fortunes, and brought the beautiful young woman to the stake, perchance ?" "Pshaw, my Lord Duke! monks never burn pretty maidens.