"Faith, I had not made up my mind; for in every change-house I entered, a copy of that proclamation for my apprehension was pasted over the chimneypiece; so, fearing recognition, as the summer night was short and warm, I had resolved to sleep like a mosstrooper on the green brae yonder by the loch, when your cry summoned me to the rescue, and I am here." "'Twas a bright thought, that of yours, about Holyrood," said Vipont, "so, come with me to my apartment, for I know no place where you could be safer than in the very palace. None but the devil himself would dream of looking for you _there_, under the king's very nose." "But my disguise is somewhat unlike the finery of your court gallants." "Come with me to-night, and to-morrow we will think of something else." "That will be necessary, for I am going to the queen's masque." "What, thou?" "Yes, I," replied the madcap earl. "What seest thou in that?" "Thy discovery, arrest, condemnation, and execution; for God's sake, my lord, be not so criminally rash." "Fear not, I will never compromise thee." "I have no fear of that, but----" "Fear nought else, then, for I have resolved to go, and words are useless." They had talked so long in the dark alley, that when they issued from its archway into the street opposite the church of St. Giles, the lights on the spire were all extinguished, and the crowd had dispersed. The whole façade of the edifice rose before them in dark outline, and the only light that tipped its pinnacles was the slanting lustre of the brilliant moon, as she seemed to sail to the westward through the pure blue of the star-studded sky. One o'clock rang from the Netherbow spire as Roland and the earl passed it, so that the events of this chapter occupied exactly an hour. CHAPTER VII. TWO OFFICIALS. "_Pedro._ Would to God it might be so! Thou twin to Satan, beautiful deceit! I almost wish I'd never met with thee. Yet the scheme's good--the scheme's exceeding good." _Edward the Black Prince._