Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-04
CHAPTER XxxIII.
The Black Bulls Head.

The banqueting hall Of Edinburgh castle,
but lately out Of artifcers' hands, was a
noble oblong chamber, reaching from side to
side Of the south looking keep, begun by
James l. 1t was decorated in the French
manner with oak ceilings and panelings, all
bossed and cornered with massive silver gilt
holdings.
Save in the ordering Of the repast itself.
there was marked absence of ostentation.
Only a soldier or two could be seen. mostly
on guard at the outer gates, and Shofto, who
had been uneasy and fearful for his mas
ter. became gradually more reassured when
he saw with what care every want Of the
earl and his brother was attended to, and,
II possible, even forestalled.
The young king. James II, a handsome.
open-hearted child, was in jubilant spirits,
and could not be persuaded to let the broth
ers Douglas remain q moment alone. He
was resolved, he said. to have his bed
brought into their chamber. that he might
talk to them an night OF tournays and deeds
of arms Never had he met with any that
he loved SO much. and on their part the
young lords Of Douglas became boys again
In this atmosphere Of frank and boyish ad
miration.
1t was a state banquet to which they sat
down. That Is. there was no hungry crowd
Of hangers on clustered below the salt. To
each gentleman was allotted one silver
trenchard for his own use, instead Of ont
betwixt two, as was the custom The service
was ordered In the French manner, and
there was manifest through all a quiet OBJ
servance and good taste which won upon the
earl Of Douglas Nevertheless his eyes still
continued to range every way through the
castle, scanning every tower glancing at
every balcony and archway, in search OF the
Lady Sybilla.
In the banquet hall the little king sat in
his high chair in the midst, with the brothers
Of Douglas, one on either side Of him. He
spoke loudly and confidently, after the man
ner Of a pampered boy Of high spirits.
II will soon come and visit you in return
at the castle OF Thrieve. The Lady Sybilla
hath told me how strong 1t Is and how splen-
did are the Journeys there. as grand as
those Of France"
1.-The Lady sybilla is perhaps gone to her
own landS" ventured Douglas, not wishing
to ask more direct question.
May" cried the young king, looking
querulously at his tutor, "but indeed ! wo,
not what they have done with my pretty
gossip, sybilla; I have not seen her for
three weeks, save for a moment this morn
ing. and before she went away she promised
TO teach me to dance in the French manner
and the trick Of the handkerchief to hide
q dagger in the hand"
As the earl listened to the boys prattle
he became more and more convinced that
the Marshal de Retz, having In some way
discovered their affection for each other. had
removed Sybilla out Of his reach. Her letter
indeed showed clearly that she was In fear
Of ill-treatment both for himself and for
her.
The banquet passed with courtesies much
more elaborate than was usual in Scotland,
but which indicated the great respect in
which the guests were held. Between each
course a servant in the royal colors pre-
sented a golden salver hlled with clear
water for the guests to wash their hands
Through the interstices OF the ceiling strains
OF music filtered down from musicians hid
den somewhere above. which sounded curl
ously soothing and far away.
The chancellor bowed and drank every few
minutes to the health Of the earl and his
brother across the board. while the tutor
sat smiling upon all with the polish OF
professional courtier In his high seat at
the table end the little king chattered In
cessantly OF the times when he could do as
he pleased, and when he and his cousin OF
Douglas would ride together to battle and
tourney, or feast together in hall.
BE sure, will not keep all these sorners
about me-" he said. lowering his voice eau
tlously; II will only have young. gallant