Therefore, my lad, I think it best
that you should cut short your visit, by a week, and you shall return
and finish it when matters have settled down.
"Here in Scotland we are not without troubles. Ill blood has arisen
between March and Douglas, owing to the Duke of Ramsay breaking his
promise to marry the Earl of March's daughter, and taking Douglas's
girl to wife. This, too, has sorely angered one more powerful than
either Douglas or March--I mean, of course, Albany, who really
exercises the kingly power.
"But troubles in Scotland will in no way prevent war from breaking out
with England. On the contrary, the quarrel between the two great lords
of our marches will cause them to loose their hold of the border men,
and I foresee that we shall have frays and forays among ourselves
again, as in the worst times of old. Therefore, it were best that you
went home. While these things are going on, the private friendship
between so many families on either side of the border must be
suspended, and all intercourse; for maybe every man on either side will
be called to arms, and assuredly it will not be safe for one of either
nation to set foot across the border, save armed, and with a strong
clump of spears at his back.
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