To his further provocation Suffolk smiled meaningly, and answered—
‘I understand. But if my Lord Douglas would honour my suite by assuming the place that befits him, I should be happy that aught of mine should serve—’
‘I am beholden to you, my Lord, for the offer,’ replied George, somewhat roughly. ‘Whatever I make use of must be my father’s or my own. All I crave of you is to keep my secret, and not make me the common talk. Have I your licence to depart?’
Wherewith, tall, irate, and shamefaced, the Master of Angus stalked away to meet David Drummond, to whom he confided his disgusts.
‘The parlous fulebody! As though I were like to make myself a mere sport for ballad-mongers, such as Lady Elleen is always mooning after; or as if I would stoop to borrow a following of the English blackguard, to bolster up my state like King Herod in a mystery play. If my father lists, he may send me out a band, but the Douglas shall have Douglas’s men, or none at all.’
David approved the sentiment, but added—
‘Ye could win to Jeanie if ye took your right place.’
‘What good would that do me while she is full of her fine daffing, singing, clacking, English knights, that would only gibe at the red-haired Scot? Let her wait to see what the Red Douglas’s hand can do in time of need! But, Davie, you that can speak to her, let her know how deeply I thank her for what she did even now on my behalf, or rather on puir Ringan’s, and that I am trebly bound to her service though I make no minstrel fule’s work.’
David delivered his message, but did not obtain much by it for his friend’s satisfaction, for Jeanie only tossed her head and answered—
‘Does the gallant cock up his bonnet because he thinks it was for his sake. It was Elleen’s doing there, firstly; and next, wadna we have done the like for the meanest of Jamie’s subjects?’