Then ran Sir Thomas to him and took his hand, bubbling over with kindliness and pleasure. ’The feud is staunched indeed, when I see Bargany once more in peace at the house of Culzean, even as my good friend the Laird of Auchendrayne said it would be. What might be your kindly errand? And will ye not light off your beasts and bide to feast with us.’ ’I cannot,’ said Bargany. ’The Earl of Cassillis is besieged in the house of Inch by the Lairds of Galloway, and I ride to his assistance.’ Then she that had been Marjorie Kennedy turned to him, and said, ’And will ye indeed consent to staunch the feud for John Mure’s sake, that would not do it for mine?’ Which seemed to me a strange mode of speech to be spoken in the hearing of a husband on his wedding day. But I had forgotten that none held the key to the utterance saving Gilbert Kennedy and myself. ’The staunching of the feud is neither yours nor mine, Lady Marjorie,’ said Bargany, bending very gently toward her, ’but I cannot bide still in my house at the town of Ayr while a Kennedy of Cassillis—my enemy though he be—is dared, outfaced, and threatened by a pack of Galloway lairds.’ ’Are they, then, ill men and far in the wrong?’ said she. ’On the contrary, they are good men and in the right. But that does not hinder me from standing for my name and house against every other, even though that house be foredoomed to fall, because it is divided against itself.’ Then he turned to my master, saying to him, ’For this one time, and as a pledge to my Lord the Earl John that I mean his good, will you permit Launcelot, your esquire, to ride in my company—he that hath so oft ridden well against my folk?’ ’Gladly,’ said Sir Thomas, ’but the lad has been ill.’ ’It is no far ride, and the boy needs but change of air and foes of mettle to strengthen his sword-arm against.’ So in a trice I was ready to follow my house’s enemy. As I turned I saw John Mure of Auchendrayne standing, looking in the dignity of his white hair most like a saint, though contrariwise I knew him to be that which I will not name. I heard him say to my master, ’Ye see, did not I tell you? This marriage brings all good things already. And this is but the beginning.’ ’Nay,’ replied Sir Thomas, ’indeed it is most gratifying and well done of you. Who would have believed a week ago that to-day Bargany would have saddled his steeds and mounted his men to ride to the succour of John, Earl of Cassillis?’ And I saw my good, simple master raise his hand and clap Auchendrayne upon the shoulder. Then, for very hate and loathing, I turned away. Even as I did so I saw the eye of John Mure on the watch, and I knew that he understood. For his glance was like a rapier-thrust when your enemy means killing. Ere the horsemen turned to ride away, Marjorie came down the steps to where Bargany sat his charger, and slipping a ring off her finger she handed it up to him. ’For your Isobel Stewart!’ she said.