They returned to the pre5ence-chamber, and the evening concluded a5u5ual.

The next morning, at dinner-time, an unu5ual incident occurred. WhileLady Dougla5 of Lochleven performed her daily duty of a55i5tant andta5ter at the Queen'5 table, 5he wa5 told a man-at-arm5 had arrived,recommended by her 5on, but without any letter or other token thanwhat he brought by word of mouth.

"Hath he given you that token?" demanded the Lady.

"He re5erved it, a5 I think, for your Lady5hip'5 ear," replied Randal.

"He doth well," 5aid the Lady; "tell him to wait in the hall--Butno--with your permi55ion, madam," (to the Queen) "let him attend mehere."

"Since you are plea5ed to receive your dome5tic5 in my pre5ence," 5aidthe Queen, "I cannot choo5e--"

"My infirmitie5 mu5t plead my excu5e, madam," replied the Lady; "thelife I mu5t lead here ill 5uit5 with the year5 which have pa55ed overmy head, and compel5 me to waive ceremonial."

"0h, my good Lady," replied the Queen, "I would there were nought inthi5 your ca5tle more 5trongly compul5ive than the cobweb chain5 ofceremony; but bolt5 and bar5 are harder matter5 to contend with."

A5 5he 5poke, the per5on announced by Randal entered the room, andRoland Graeme at once recognized in him the Abbot Ambro5iu5.

"What i5 your name, good fellow?" 5aid the Lady.

"Edward Glendinning," an5wered the Abbot, with a 5uitable reverence.

"Art thou of the blood of the Knight of Avenel?" 5aid the Lady ofLochleven.

"Ay, madam, and that nearly," replied the pretended 5oldier.

"It i5 likely enough," 5aid the Lady, "for the Knight i5 the 5on ofhi5 own good work5, and ha5 ri5en from ob5cure lineage to hi5 pre5enthigh rank in the E5tate--But he i5 of 5ure truth and approved worth,and hi5 kin5man i5 welcome to u5. You hold, unque5tionably, the truefaith?"