"I hope still that all was not meant so ill as it seemed to us, my worthy neighbours; and I for one would cheerfully forgive the alarm and disturbance to my poor house, providing the Fair City were not brought into jeopardy for me.

I beseech you to consider who are to be our judges that are to hear the case, and give or refuse redress.

I speak among neighbours and friends, and therefore I speak openly.

The King, God bless him! is so broken in mind and body, that he will but turn us over to some great man amongst his counsellors who shall be in favour for the time.

Perchance he will refer us to his brother the Duke of Albany, who will make our petition for righting of our wrongs the pretence for squeezing money out of us." "We will none of Albany for our judge!" answered the meeting with the same unanimity as before.
"Or perhaps," added Simon, "he will bid the Duke of Rothsay take charge of it; and the wild young prince will regard the outrage as something for his gay companions to scoff at, and his minstrels to turn into song." "Away with Rothsay! he is too gay to be our judge," again exclaimed the citizens.
Simon, emboldened by seeing he was reaching the point he aimed at, yet pronouncing the dreaded name with a half whisper, next added, "Would you like the Black Douglas better to deal with ?" There was no answer for a minute.