The king rested his closed fist on his hip, leaned his head a little to one side and examined his rival critically.
“Why have you returned so unexpectedly to the phrase, your majesty?”
“Because, your majesty,” answered MacDonald laughing, “the phrase, Guidman of Ballengeich, no longer matters.”
“I do not understand you.”
“It is to make myself understood that I have come so hurriedly. I beg then to inform your majesty, that Miss MacLeod has consented to become my wife. I have spoken to her father, who has somewhat grudgingly and conditionally given his consent. It occurred to me that if I wedded the daughter of your gaoler, I may have enough influence with the family to secure your majesty’s release.”
“I have no doubt,” said the king, “that this was your object from the beginning. And so you have exchanged a temporary gaoler for one that will last you all your life.”
The Highlander knit his brow and compressed his lips, as if to hold back some retort which later he might regret. There was a moment’s constrained silence, then the king flung off his ill-humour as if it were a cloak.
“Forgive me, Jamie,” he cried, springing to his feet. “Forgive the wounded vanity of the vanquished.”
He extended his hand impetuously, which the other grasped with eager cordiality.
“Jamie, my lad, you were right. The crown weighs heavy when it is thrown into the scale, but with this lassie I well believe it would have made not an ounce of difference. Let the best man win, say I, and you’re the victor, so you have my warmest congratulation. Still, Jamie, you must admit that the Gaelic is the cursedest lingo ever a poor Lowland-bred man tried to get his tongue round. So now you see, Jamie, we are even again. You think the crown defeated you at Stirling, and I hold the language defeated me in Skye; thus we are both able to retain a good opinion of ourselves, which is the splendid privilege of every Scotchman to hold. Your bravery deserves success, for it requires some courage to face your future father-in-law. What did the old curmudgeon say?”