The eyes of the chancellor met those of the regent, whose pale forehead flushed with anger at this insulting remark, though it illustrated how dangerous was the spirit they were about to crush. "By St. Jude, Douglas, I laughed not at thee, but at thy saying," exclaimed MacLellan, breaking the momentary silence which had ensued. "Then beware, lordling," said Douglas, who knew there was an old jealousy between the MacLellans and his people. "I am no lord or earl either," replied MacLellan, flushing with anger in turn. "What then?" "One whom you know well to be a gentleman of Galloway, my lord. The king may gift coronets or titles, and _attaint_ them, too; but God alone can make or unmake a loyal Scottish gentleman!" The little king seemed almost scared by this angry outburst; but the regent and his adherents exchanged glances of approval, and they started involuntarily, for at that instant the great bell of David Tower announced the hour of three. The fatal time had come! Then the king's master-butcher entered, bearing aloft a vast covered platter, which, by its size, attracted the attention and excited the surprise of all; and passing deliberately round the great apartment, while many jests were made as to what new fare it contained, he placed it before the young earl of Douglas. "Remove the cover!" said the regent, whose voice was hollow, as if it came from a coffin. The master-butcher did so, and there was grimly revealed the old Celtic symbol of death, a black bull's head of great size, with its square nostrils, its grey polished horns, and curly forehead. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 2: Craigmillar.] CHAPTER XIII. THE BLOCK. I must have A more potential draught of guilt than this, With more of wormwood in it.--FIRMILIAN. A simultaneous cry burst from all on seeing this sure and terrible forerunner of a sudden death; all sprang from the table, and instinctively did so, sword in hand; for at the same moment the door of the 'tiring room was thrown violently open, and a chosen party of Crichton's vassals, led by Romanno of that ilk, constable of the castle, Andrew Gray of Balgarno, and others, rushed forward, and with levelled partisans, separated the earl of Douglas and his brother David from their more immediate friends. "To your swords and defend yourselves, my brother and friends; we are lured--tricked to death!" cried the young earl, with prompt bravery, hewing right and left at the partisans; "A Douglas! a Douglas! cut me a passage to the king--to the throne--it is at least a _sanctuary_!" "Hold, my lord!" exclaimed the chancellor, in a voice of thunder, as he stood with one foot on the lower step of the king's chair, and firmly interposed his drawn sword, "it is no sanctuary for thee or thine! and dare you----"