Herries' face was somewhat pale when he spoke; but Gowrie did not remark it, and replied, "That clock is ten minutes fast by all the others in the town; but still we can walk back and prepare, for I hope to give his majesty a few miles convoy on his road."
Thus saying, they all turned, and returned towards the house, while Herries, seeming impatient of their slowness, got a step or two in advance. A moment after they saw Mr. Cranston coming hastily from the house towards them; and Gowrie hurried his pace at the sight, seeing that his retainer had something to tell.
"A report has got abroad in the house, my lord," said Cranston, "that the king has mounted his horse and ridden away privately with one or two of the servants."
"That is just like him," exclaimed the Duke of Lennox. "He served us so this morning at Falkland."
"Who told you so, Cranston?" demanded the earl, eagerly.
"It is in every one's mouth, my lord," replied Cranston; "but I believe it came first from Christie."
"Quick, quick! see for my horse, Cranston," cried the earl. "I wished to escort the king part of the way to Falkland."
"I bethought me of that, sir," replied the other; "but your horse I find is in the town."
"In the town!" exclaimed Gowrie. "What does my horse in the town? See for another quickly, Cranston. After such poor entertainment as I have given his majesty, I would not for much show him such an act of neglect as not to ride with him."
"Perhaps he's not gone after all," observed John Ramsay. "Which way did he go? I'll go and see."