My quinsy has altogether left me, and my blood flows strong after the rest.

I will take part with James of Avondale." And, without waiting to be asked, he went off followed by his servant Poitou towards the pavilion of the Avondale trio.
Now as the Marshal de Retz was the chief guest, it was impossible for James of Avondale to refuse his offer.

But there was anger and blasphemy in his heart, for he knew not what the Frenchman could do, and though he had undoubtedly been a gallant knight in his day, yet in these matters (as James Douglas whispered to his brother) a week's steady practice is worth a lifetime of theory.

Still there was nothing for the brothers from Douglasdale but to make the best of their bargain.

The person most deserving of pity, however, was the young laird of the Bass, who, being thus dispossessed, went out to the back of the lists and actually shed tears, being little more than a boy, and none looking on to see him.
Then he came back hastily, and besought James of Douglas to let him fight as his squire, saying that as he had never taken up the knighthood which had been bestowed on him by the Earl for his journey to France, there could be nothing irregular in his fighting once more as a simple esquire.