"To the house of my lord regent?"——"Yes."
The stranger muttered something in the hollow of his helmet, and it was to this purpose,—
"From France, and for Cadzow! Cogsbones! can this be the Guise messenger our party wot of?"
"Go you so far?" asked Florence.
"Nay, I am only on my way to visit the house of a remote kinsman—the Laird of Millheugh."
"Indeed! I am bound for the same mansion, could I but find it. We may proceed together, and I shall trust me to your guidance."
"With pleasure."
"I have a letter for the laird from a kinsman of his, a great lady at court, and I propose to leave it at the tower to-night, that I may reach Cadzow at a more suitable hour on the morrow."
"Now, this sounds passing strange to me," said the old gentleman, peering keenly at Fawside under the peak of his helmet, and endeavouring to scan his features closely. "Millheugh hath no kinswoman at court. From whom had you the billet?"
"Champfleurie, captain of the queen's guard."