Men's eyes followed this dreaded peer as they pursue the flight of an eagle through the clouds, unable to ken the course of the bird of Jove yet silent, attentive, and as earnest in observing him as if they could guess the object for which he sweeps through the firmament; He rode slowly through the city, and passed out at the northern gate.

He next alighted at the Dominican convent and desired to see the Duke of Albany.

The Earl was introduced instantly, and received by the Duke with a manner which was meant to be graceful and conciliatory, but which could not conceal both art and inquietude.
When the first greetings were over, the Earl said with great gravity: "I bring you melancholy news.

Your Grace's royal nephew, the Duke of Rothsay, is no more, and I fear hath perished by some foul practices." "Practices!" said the Duke' in confusion--"what practices?
Who dared practise on the heir of the Scottish throne ?" "'Tis not for me to state how these doubts arise," said Douglas; "but men say the eagle was killed with an arrow fledged from his own wing, and the oak trunk rent by a wedge of the same wood." "Earl of Douglas," said the Duke of Albany, "I am no reader of riddles." "Nor am I a propounder of them," said Douglas, haughtily, "Your Grace will find particulars in these papers worthy of perusal.

I will go for half an hour to the cloister garden, and then rejoin you." "You go not to the King, my lord ?" said Albany.
"No," answered Douglas; "I trust your Grace will agree with me that we should conceal this great family misfortune from our sovereign till the business of tomorrow be decided." "I willingly agree," said Albany.