“Is there more trouble brewing?” “More trouble, and the old trouble, and the new trouble. Every one pulling his own way, and in all directions, thinking only of himself, and never by any chance of the interests of the whole.” “May I tell Cromwell that? He seemed at some pains to intercept a billet that you receive but lightly.” “Tell Cromwell! You’re never going to write to that scoundrel?” “I intend to see him before the week is past.” “What! You’re not such a fool as to put yourself in Cromwell’s clutch again?” “Just that.” “Will, I wonder at you. Angus got the steel bonnet off you with some work, but no man in Scotland can get Cromwell’s rope off your neck if once you thrust your head through the noose.” “Cromwell’s not such a fool as to hang me. If he did, it would but unite your wavering hosts like an invasion of Scotland.” “It would be a heavy price to pay for union, Will.” “The price will never be paid. Cromwell knows what he wants, and he does n’t want me now, however anxious he was for my company this morning.” “Have you actually seen him?” “I met him the first day I crossed the Border. I saw him once again, and I travelled over most of England on a pass from his own hand. Cromwell and I have a mutual respect for each other by this time, but there are some matters of difference between us that I think will best be settled by word of mouth, so I’m off day after to-morrow to foregather with him. I cannot go sooner, because my new gear will not be ready, and I want to give the General time to withdraw his troops from across the country, so that I may come on him in other fettle than as a prisoner.” “Who is the woman, Will? I knew you would go clean daft when you met her.” “Never you mind. As the Border is a land of nobility and romance, we will call her an Earl’s daughter to please you.” “More like some peasant girl who assisted you to escape from your enemies.” “Well, whoever she is, Traquair, I’ll make her Mrs. Armstrong when I get the chance.” “Lady Armstrong, you mean. You’re forgetting your new dignity. Surely if the case stands thus you will ask the King to fulfill his promise and make you a baron at the least.” “That will I not. I’ll trouble the badgered man no further.” “I know the ways of the sex better than you do, and I warrant you the lady will give you no rest until the title’s yours, whenever she knows you have earned it and have had the offer of it.” “She thinks less of these things than I do, even.” “Then she is no peasant lass.” “I never said she was.” At this point, greatly to the delight of Armstrong, whose answers were becoming more and more short, his supper was announced, and Traquair with his arm over the shoulder of his guest, led him to the dining-room.