'
Lord Marmion turned--well was his need,
And dash'd the rowels in his steed."
A swallow does not more lightly skim the air, than Marmion's steed flew
along the drawbridge. The man drew rein when he had reached the train,
turned, clenched his fists, shouted defiance, and shook his gauntlet at
the towers where so lately he had been a guest.
"To horse! to horse!" cried Douglas. "Let the chase be up." Then
relenting, he smiled bitterly, saying, "He came a royal messenger. Bold
can he talk and fairly ride, and I doubt not he will fight well."
Slowly the Earl sought the castle walls, that frowned still more
gloomily, no longer brightened by the young and beautiful Lady Clare.
As the day wore on, Marmion's passion wore off, and scanning his little
band, he missed the Palmer. From young Blount he demanded an explanation
of the guide's absence.
"The Palmer, in good sooth, parted from Douglas at dawn of day. If a
Palmer he is, he set out in strange guise," replied the youth.
"What mean you?" quickly demanded Marmion.
"My Lord, I can ill interpret what I say. All night I was disturbed in
my sleep, as if by workmen forging armor. At dawn, hearing the
drawbridge fall, I looked from a loophole and saw old Bell-the-Cat,
wrapped in sables, come from Tantallon keep.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74