Nay, hast thou not seen it thyself, when, fellow-soldiers, fellow-seekers of the banquet, tournay, or ball, he hath avoided, shunned me?
and why should he seek me now ?" "Why?
does not Scotland call him, Scotland bid him gird his sword and don his mail?
Will not the dim spectres of his loyal line start from their very tombs to call him to thy side, or brand him traitor and poltroon, with naught of Duff about him but the name?
Thou smilest." "At thy violence, good brother.

Duncan of Fife loves better the silken cords of peace and pleasure, e'en though those silken threads hide chains, than the trumpet's voice and weight of mail.

In England bred, courted, flattered by her king, 'twere much too sore a trouble to excite his anger and lose his favor; and for whom, for what ?--to crown the man he hateth from his soul ?" "And knowest thou wherefore, good my son, in what thou hast offended ?" "Offended, holy father?
Nay, in naught unless perchance a service rendered when a boy--a simple service, merely that of saving life--hath rendered him the touchy fool he is.

But hark! who comes ?" The tramping of many horses, mingled with the eager voices of men, resounded from the courtyard as he spoke, and Sir Edward strode hastily to the casement.

"Sir Robert Keith returned!" he exclaimed, joyfully; "and seemingly right well attended.