Rouse thy wits, while I speak a word with Henshaw." "If I might presume to speak," said Dwining, "as one who have made my studies both in Spain and Arabia, I would say, my lord, that the sickness has appeared in Edinburgh, and that there may be risk in admitting this young wanderer into your Highness's vicinity." "Ah! and what is it to thee," said Rothsay, "whether I choose to be poisoned by the pestilence or the 'pothecary?
Must thou, too, needs thwart my humour ?" While the Prince thus silenced the remonstrances of Dwining, Sir John Ramorny had snatched a moment to learn from Henshaw that the removal of the Duchess of Rothsay from Falkland was still kept profoundly secret, and that Catharine Glover would arrive there that evening or the next morning, in expectation of being taken under the noble lady's protection.
The Duke of Rothsay, deeply plunged in thought, received this intimation so coldly, that Ramorny took the liberty of remonstrating.

"This, my lord," he said, "is playing the spoiled child of fortune.

You wish for liberty; it comes.

You wish for beauty; it awaits you, with just so much delay as to render the boon more precious.

Even your slightest desires seem a law to the Fates; for you desire music when it seems most distant, and the lute and song are at your hand.