But all the while I shall be thinking of the true King of Scots--who alone shall ever be King to me--" At this point La Joyeuse broke off short, as if her feelings were hurrying her to say more than she had intended.
"I did wrong to flout their messengers yesterday," said William Douglas, his boyish heart misgiving him at dispraise of others; "perhaps they meant me well.

But I am naturally quick and easily fretted, and the men annoyed me with their parchments royal, their heralds-of-the-Lion, and the 'King of Scots' at every other word." "Who is the youth who rides at the head of your company ?" said the Lady Sybilla.
"His name is Sholto MacKim, and it was but yesterday that I made him captain of my guard," answered the Earl.
"I like him not," said the Lady Sybilla; "he is full of ignorance and obstinacy and pride.

Besides which, I am sure he loves me not." "Save that last, I am not sure that a Douglas has a right to dislike him for any such faults.

Ignorance, obstinacy, and pride are, indeed, good old Galloway virtues of the ancientest descent, and not to be despised in the captain of an archer guard." "And pray, sir, what may be the ill qualities which, in Captain Sholto, make up for these excellent Scottish virtues ?" asked the lady, disdainfully.
"He is faithful--" began the Earl.
"So is every dog!" interjected Sybilla de Thouars.
The Earl laughed a little gay laugh.
"There is one dog somewhere about the castle, licking an unhealed sword-thrust, that wishes our Sholto had been a trifle less faithful." The Lady Sybilla sat silent in her saddle for a space; then, striking abruptly into a new subject, she said, "Do you defend the lists to-day ?" "Nay," answered the Earl, "to-day it is my good fortune to sit by your side and hold the truncheon while others meet in the shock.

But the knight who this day gains the prize, to-morrow must choose a side against me and fight a _melee_." "Ah," cried the girl, "I would that my uncle were healed of his quinsy.