CHAPTER XXXII.
In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire, With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales Of woeful ages, long ago betid: And, ere thou bid goodnight, to quit their grief, Tell thou the lamentable fall of me.
King Richard II Act V.Scene I.
Far different had been the fate of the misguided heir of Scotland from that which was publicly given out in the town of Falkland.

His ambitious uncle had determined on his death, as the means of removing the first and most formidable barrier betwixt his own family and the throne.
James, the younger son of the King, was a mere boy, who might at more leisure be easily set aside.

Ramorny's views of aggrandisement, and the resentment which he had latterly entertained against his masters made him a willing agent in young Rothsay's destruction.

Dwining's love of gold, and his native malignity of disposition, rendered him equally forward.

It had been resolved, with the most calculating cruelty, that all means which might leave behind marks of violence were to be carefully avoided, and the extinction of life suffered to take place of itself by privation of every kind acting upon a frail and impaired constitution.