No one, in fact, at the various places at which we
have stopped, has taken me for aught but a countryman; though the monk
with me was often taxed with being an Englishman, though belonging to a
monastery at Roxburgh."
Again the earl was silent for some time.
"I must think over the message that I shall give you, for Percy," he
said. "I like not the delay, though I see that there is good reason for
it. As one of Hotspur's esquires, I would fain treat you with all
courtesy, and lodge you here; but this might cause question as to who
you are, and it were, therefore, better that you should lodge in the
town. Have you put up anywhere?"
"I rested for an hour at the sign of the Lion, my lord; engaging a room
there, in order to effect a change in my clothes. I left by the back
entrance, in order that the change should not be observed."
"It were best that you fetched those you travelled in away, or rather
that you returned unnoticed; and, as it is getting dark now, this can
doubtless be managed; and, when you sally out, place that cloak over
your shoulders to hide your dress as a servitor, and go to the other
inn, the Falcon. Say, there, that you are staying for a few days in
Dunbar, having come here on business with me; and that I bade you go
there, so that I might know where to send for you, if necessary.
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