He was all of a breaking perspiration lest he should have to tell the Earl that he had given it to Maud Lindesay, as indeed he meant to do presently, along with the golden buckle of archery,--that is if the dainty, mischievous-hearted maiden could be persuaded to accept thereof.
"Ah," said the Earl, smiling, "I comprehend.

There is some maid in the question, and if I advance you to the command of my house-guard and give you an officer's responsibility, you will of a surety be ever desiring to go gadding to the greenwood--and around the loch of Carlinwark are most truly dangerous glades." "Nay, indeed nay," cried Sholto, eagerly.

"If it is my lord's will to appoint me to his guard, by Saint Bride and all the other saints I swear never to leave the island, unless it be sometimes of a Sunday afternoon for an hour or two--just to see my mother." "Your mother!" quoth the Earl, laughing heartily.

"So then my two golden hearts are in your mother's keeping.

Art a good lad, Sholto, and as for guile it is simply not in thee!" Sholto looked modestly down upon the earth, as if conscious of his own exceeding merits, but willing for the nonce to say nothing about them.
But the young Earl came over to him, and dealing him a sound buffet on the back, cried: "Nay, lad, that lamb-like look I have seen tried on mine uncle the Abbot of Sweetheart.