Page images
PDF
EPUB

"A check on your tongue, insolent fellow!" commanded the Earl of Mar, and Davie made a derisive grimace at him.

"There are waters here that bring forgetfulness as sure as Lethe," James continued, "or so 'tis said. We'd have you drink of them. Come, my lords and gentlemen, follow us hand in hand, as a sign of peace."

"Surely we're no gaun for a bit dander up Arthur's Seat to clinch a bairn's bargain," quoth Davie to himself. “Jimmie maun ken as weel as me yon waters dinna work their magic at all hours an' every day."

The nobles, entering into the spirit of the thing, as into some huge joke, followed the King like so many schoolboys in procession, out of the palace gates on the way to Edinburgh. Then down the Canongate and through the High Street they marched, and as they passed MacDonald's house, Hector MacLean and Coll MacDonald looked up at the balcony to see the fair enslavers of their hearts regarding them.

It seemed the procession was not unexpected. Excited crowds watched the gorgeous company and followed them with joyful shouts "Long live King James! Long be the peace!"

If the pageant of the previous day-so disordered, so irregular, had seemed so grand in the eyes of the Englishman watching it at the North Bow, how superb must this have been to him-one blaze of colour, with no dust to mar its brilliance, and the bright May sun glinting not on weapons alone, but on the gold and silver ornaments of Highland dress on cap and belt and sporran.

MacDonald and MacLean, so lately engaged in fight, walked close behind the King, to all appearance united in friendship. The Town Cross was reached, and here a fresh surprise was waiting. The Provost of Edinburgh and the city magistrates were lined across the street, and four heralds, with trumpets, and the lion of Scotland worked upon their tabards, stood before them. Round the Cross were tables loaded with sweetmeats and wine, and beneath it was a huge open barrel from which King James filled himself a cup.

"Herein," said he, "is Water of Lethe, drawn from St. Anthony's Well on Arthur's Seat, at the appointed hour, 'twixt dusk and dawning on the First of May. Come, gentlemen, and try its power. You have forgiven; forget also. But first, I drink to oblivion of all the quarrels that may lie between you and Scotland's King."

A mighty cheer went up, and all the gathered chiefs

hastened to drink of the magic waters, while the heralds blew a lively blast.

Then, while the townsfolk shouted round them for very joy, they partook of the dishes prepared, and pledging each other again in wine, swore to peace.

CHAPTER XI

AFTER THE BANQUET.

It was the evening of the banqueting day. Be it said for the honour of the hastily reconciled, that not a single act of violence had marred the harmony of the Capital of Scotland; and now, for the entertainment of the royal guests, and for the better cementing of the peace, high revels were being held in Holyrood.

Of the many fair women who lent lustre to the scene by their presence, the daughters of the Islay Chieftain were conspicuous; but the charms of the Lady Muriel, with her flashing black eyes and regal air, and the soft fair prettiness of her gentle sister, were outshone by the radiant beauty of their Irish cousin, sweet Grace MacDonald.

To Coll MacDonald, seated beside her a little apart from the gay throng, she seemed the sweetest and brightest creature on God's earth; and more pleasant in his ears than the music discoursed by the court musicians was her voice.

The lights, the music, the animation of the gorgeous ballroom scene, where gaily-coloured tartans whirled in the dance, on chiefs and ladies alike, and perhaps-for she was no prudethe admiration she could not fail to see in the eyes of the young nobles around her, had lifted Grace a little above herself. Splendid specimens of manhood, whether ruddy of cheek and hair, or dark-browed and swarthy, were the brave chieftains assembled by King James.

Coll's Highland blood was aflame, and jealousy was eating his very heart, as he intercepted some of the bold or languishing glances cast at the sweet maiden by his side. It was at the conclusion of a dance with Grace, when he had been compelled to relinquish her to one of these admirers who had begged the favour of treading a measure with her, that while moodily watching her light form, a hand was laid upon his arm, and he turned to meet his mother's gaze.

'Have the magic waters failed, Coll, since you forget not your love?" she asked, but her son was in no mood for banter. VOL. XLII.-No. 491

19

"Not all the waters of Islay could wash her name from off my heart!" he declared energetically. "Twere magic indeed could make a man so soon forget those eyes."

The Countess of ClanConnell drew him a little apart. "My son," she said, "I have been watching you with Grace. Think you dour looks will win a young maid's favour? Why wish. to cage a bird so bright? At least allow the pretty creature a trial of her wings.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"To have them broken!" Coll interrupted passionately. What does that child know of the snares and dangers of the Court? I tell you, mother, there are hawks here seeking prey."

"Better broken wings that can be mended than a broken heart, Coll. Grace, I hope and believe, will learn to love you, but you must give her time. Her woman's heart has not awakened. And yet," her voice sank lower and she leant towards her son, till her lips were close to his ear, this much I will say; it may enable you to be patient in your wooing. After your departure from Dunluce, a change came over her. Quiet she had always been, but cheerful and content to make the most of what simple pleasures came her way. When you were no longer there to share them, her cheeks grew paler daily, and so listless did she become that your uncle, Sorley, feared his darling was pining away. I fear me much, that to pleasure you, my son, I was cruel to the old man, for I worked upon his fears for her health till he agreed that she should have the change to Scotland till winter comes again."

[ocr errors]

She missed me, then? My sweet Grace missed me," Coll said eagerly, his face flushed with new awakened hope.

"Yes in truth she missed you, and sure am I that you will not suffer in her eyes by contrast with the proudest and the bravest gallant here. So do not let groundless jealousy make you selfish enough to grudge a beautiful girl the gaiety that is her due. Do not imagine that, even if carried away by her first glimpse of the world of pleasure, Grace can change. She is and will be ever the dearest and best of maidens."

Coll did not answer, and Lady Agnes, following the direction his eyes had taken, saw that they were sternly fixed upon a richly-dressed distinguished looking man, who was standing near one of the windows of the apartment, with one hand grasping the heavy velvet hangings, the other resting on his sword-hilt. Lady Agnes could see that the stranger was following with unmistakable attention the elegant form of Grace MacDonald, as with sprightly steps she went through the figures of the dance.

"

That man," she turned to her son, "do you know him?” "No, nor wish to, but I like him not, though he seems in high favour with the King. Twice this evening have I marked him in close converse with his majesty. But also," the Highlander's brow grew darker still, "it seems to me he takes a peculiar interest in Grace. You will think jealousy inspires my words, but I have watched him more than once hovering near her, apparently waiting an opportunity to address her."

The dance was over now, and Lady Agnes saw the stranger move in quick strides across the ball-room, then stoop to pick up some glittering object. He glanced about him as if seeking some one, but at that moment he was accosted by the Earl of Mar, and left the ball-room with him. Coll MacDonald watched him go with satisfaction, then turned to Lady Agnes.

"Mother, say what you may, I will not stand aside to see a rival snatch Grace from me. My mind is made up. This very night she shall hear that I worship her and crave the right to protect her."

There was no time for Lady Agnes to again warn her son, for Grace's partner had brought her back, to yield her up reluctantly to Coll; but later on, when that anxious lover found himself once more beside his fair cousin, he was bewildered by the raillery with which she received his lover-like attentions, and felt it would be disastrous to ask her to be his while in this light mood.

The naturally high spirits of the Irish maid had been weighed down by the sorrows that had troubled her childhood and early girlhood. She had, as it were, been nurtured on tears amid scenes of violence and bloodshed, and few lives had been so darkly overshadowed as hers by the clouds that lay over Ireland. How often had she clung to her rugged grandsire, Sorley Boy MacDonald, weeping wildly in a very passion of grief and pity, while in fierce accents he told her of her father's head impaled on Dublin Castle gateway; of others of her kindred done to death for England's ends, of fair lands reft by force or robbed by treachery from their rightful owners. And as she grew older, how often had her eyes blazed and her little hands clenched at the remembrance of her country's wrongs, while her heart sickened within her at the thought of her own experiences of English clemency. Little wonder, then, that she had grown to womanhood, hating the foes of her race more bitterly than was natural in a maid so sweet and gentle. Little wonder also, that, when the cup of pleasure was held for the first time to her

fresh young lips, she should drink deeply and find the draught intoxicating.

"Ah, Coll, think it not amiss if I wish to remember naught but the present," she cried when her cousin spoke of the time he had spent with her in Ireland, "this wonderful, delightful present; and do not laugh at me as Muriei and Ella did just now when I told them I could not imagine Heaven itself more beautiful than this. It is all so fresh, so new. It scarce seems real. I almost look to see it fade like a gorgeous rainbow," and her eyes swept the brilliant ball-room. Coll smiled at her enthusiasm and laid a hand upon her arm, perhaps to prove to her that he at least was real; but when he told her, gazing fondly at her glowing beauty, that if the scene was Heaven to her, she was an angel in his eyes, her silvery laugh pealed forth.

"You, too!" she cried gaily. "It seems there is a sad lack of originality about Highland gentlemen. Several of my partners in the dance have already told me I was an angel. Nay, Coll, frown not so fiercely. I did not say that I believed them, though in truth," she smiled reminiscently, "it amuses me mightily to hear these young warriors turn compliments and utter pretty speeches."

'Fair Mistress Grace doubtless derives even keener amusement from the homage of a foolish old veteran like myself," Coll muttered.

The smile died instantly on the young girl's lips, and her fair face grew so sweetly penitent that he was sorry he had spoken.

He leant towards her, apologies upon his tongue, but as he did so, she stood up, and the silken plaid of Clan MacDonald tartan-purple and green, checked with red and black-which, scarfed across her shoulders, had given the finishing touch to her robe of dazzling white, slipped from her.

She gave a low cry of dismay.

"My brooch-that one you saw in Ireland is gone, lost. I had it fastening the plaid. Coll, find it for me."

[ocr errors]

'My reward?" he whispered, bending his lips to her tiny ear. 'Name a reward to quicken my eager search."

་་

She blushed, but ere she could reply, a pleasant voice beside her asked:

"Madame, if I mistake not, this is yours ? " and she turned to find the gentleman who a short time before had excited Coll's jealous fears bowing low before her, her brooch shining in his hand.

(To be continued.)

« PreviousContinue »