"Seaton!" he said; "thou here, and in armor?"
"Aye," answered the knight, his voice from very weakness sounding hollow in his helmet. "Aye, to make one last stand, and, if it may be, die as I have lived for Scotland. I have strength to strike one last blow, for last it will be—all is lost!"
A low groan broke from Nigel's lips, but he made no further answer than the utterance of one word—"Agnes!"
"Is safe, I trust," rejoined the knight. "The son of Dermid, in whose arms I last saw her, knoweth many a secret path and hidden passage, and can make his way wherever his will may lead."
"How! thinkest thou he will preserve her, save her even now from the foe?"
"Aye, perchance conceal her till the castle be dismantled. But what do they now? See, a herald and white flag," he added, abruptly, as by the light of several torches a trumpeter, banner-bearer, herald, and five men-at-arms were discerned approaching the walls.
"What would ye? Halt, and answer," demanded Sir Nigel, recalled on the instant to his sterner duties, and advancing, spear in hand, to the utmost verge of the wall.
"We demand speech of Sir Nigel Bruce and Sir Christopher Seaton, governors of this castle," was the brief reply.
"Speak on, then, we are before ye, ready to list your say. What would your lords?"
"Give ye not admittance within the wall?" inquired the herald; "'tis somewhat strange parleying without."