"Are well and whole, though, sooth to say, the two-handed whinger of John Gorm was somewhat heavy for one's patience, and cut through my chain-shirt and jack-wambeson, as if they had been pie-crust. But I am recovered now. The pure breeze that comes over the broad Solway and whistles round the turrets of old Raeberry has made me a hale man again."
"Would that I could say the same," sighed Gray.
"That slash on the face——"
"Won't please a woman's eye now, I fear me."
"But to wed one who objected thereto would be to throw one's ace in the game of matrimony," replied MacLellan, tossing upon a settle his sword, jewelled dagger, and laced mantle; "yes—even were she a princess."
"Soho, man! talk not of princesses—I have just had my choice of six."
"Six!—daughters of the queen of Elphen?"
"Nay, six of flesh and blood, and declined them all," said Gray, laughing.
"What riddle is this?—or has a fairy indeed been with you?"
"You shall hear."