"I would rather marry the damsel myself than that we should have high words anent the disposal of her. Bethink thee, Englishman—'tis as much as your life is worth to be this night within gunshot of the Scottish shore; and this gentleman——"
"What—Borthwick?"
"Yes, he——"
"Might inform Sir Andrew Wood, you mean to say," continued Howard. "Well, I should like to see your admiral's Yellow Frigate come out of the river, with all her iron teeth bristling; for now that Barton is gone, he is the best and bravest seaman that treads upon a deck. Nay, nay, none of you will betray me, unless King James pays better than King Henry."
Gray and Sauchie were stung by this bold remark, and the former hastened to say—
"How know we not but the prince may have wedded the Lady Margaret Drummond?"
"Pshaw! what would it matter if he had? She is only the daughter of a subject—a baron."
"Captain Howard, you talk like an Englishman, who knows not the temper of our Scottish barons. Her father can rouse all Strathearn, and set Scotland on fire. Beware lest the flames roll over the Border."
"Master Borthwick, you did not inform me that the Lord Drummond was so powerful, or this amour so dangerous."
"If King Henry had written to me——"