At last the lights were near, the outskirts were gained, the pass-word given to the watch, and the rough but welcome greeting was heard—‘That’s well! More of you come in! How got you off?’
‘The rogues got back, then?’ said Kitson.
‘Some score of them,’ was the answer; ‘but ’tis thought most are drowned or stuck by the French. The King is in a proper rage, as well he may be; but what else could come of a false Scot in the camp?’
‘Have a care, you foul tongue!’ Percy was the first to cry; and as torches were now brought out and cast their light on the well-known faces, the soldiers stood abashed; but James tarried not for their excuses; his heart was hot at the words which implied that Henry suspected him, and he strode hastily on to the convent, where the quadrangle was full of horses and men, and the windows shone with lights. At the door of the refectory stood a figure whose armour flashed with light, and his voice sounded through the closed visor—‘I tell you, March, I cannot rest till I knew what his hap has been. If he have done this thing—’
‘What then?’ answered James out of the darkness, in a voice deep with wrath; but Henry started.
‘You there! you safe! Speak again! Come here that I may see. Where is he?’
‘Here, Sir King,’ said James, gravely.
‘Now the saints be thanked!’ cried Henry, joyously. ‘Where be the caitiffs that brought me their false tale? They shall hang for it at once.’
‘It was the less wonder,’ said James, still coldly, ‘that they should have thought themselves betrayed, since their king believed it of me.’
‘Nay, ’twas but for a hot moment—ay, and the bitterest I ever spent. What could I do when the villains swore that there were signals and I know not what devices passing? I hoped yet ’twas but a plea for their own cowardice, and was mounting to come and see for you. Come, I should have known you better; I’d rather the whole world deceived me than have distrusted you, Jamie.’