"Earl as he is, it was scandalous, and contrary to all usages, to arrest a messenger; especially when that messenger is an esquire of one of equal rank to himself, and his message, as I suppose, a friendly one." "I don't so much blame him.

He had no means of judging my discretion; and the consequences, to him and others, had I fallen into the hands of Douglas, or those of a marauding leader, might have been serious, indeed.

I doubt not that, had I been content to stay with him, he would have treated me with all honour.

I might even have done so, and have got him to send another messenger to Percy; but the latter bade me to return at once, and moreover said that he had another mission, as soon as I had carried the present one to a successful termination." "And have you done so, Master Oswald ?" "Yes, I think so, Roger.

I was to ascertain the earl's real intentions regarding certain matters, and I think that he means honestly to adhere to an offer he made.