CHAPTER VI: MALCOLM’S SUIT
‘That is a gentle and gracious slip of the Stewart. What shall you do with him?’ asked King Henry of James, as they stood together at one end of the tilt-yard at Westminster, watching Malcolm Stewart and Ralf Percy, who were playing at closhey, the early form of nine-pins.
‘I know what I should like to do,’ said James.
‘What may that be?’
‘To marry him to the Lady Esclairmonde de Luxemburg.’
Henry gave a long whistle.
‘Have you other views for her?’
‘Not I! Am I to have designs on every poor dove who flies into my tent from the hawk? Besides, are not they both of them vowed to a religious life?’
‘Neither vow is valid,’ replied James.
‘To meddle with such things is what I should not dare,’ said Henry.