Falconer, brave to a fault, was poor, and had only his spurs and his sword. He knew this but too well, and Sybilla did not forget it. He had long concealed his passion; but she had soon divined it; and now they treasured up a secret thought in the depth of their hearts, like a dream that might never be realized; for Lord Drummond was ambitious, and had many a time sworn, that at least "four of his daughters should _die countesses_." Thus Sybilla and Falconer had found their best resort was patience or hope. The eldest sister was a happy, rich, and beautiful _fiancée_; Sybilla was a timid girl, loved by one who dared not avow his passion to her family; and Lady Margaret was sad and melancholy, loved, the people said, by many for her goodness and gentleness, but by none for her beauty--save one, of whom more anon. After the first compliments, inquiries, and congratulations were over, "Ah! I had almost forgotten thee, little one," said Barton, kissing the pretty Lizzie, whom he now observed hovering about him; "but here is thy promised necklace." "Oh, joy!" said the girl, skipping among her sisters, on receiving a beautiful collar of Bruges silver, with a pendant of opals; "now I am not less than my cousin Lady Egidia Crawford, who is so proud because _her_ mother was created a duchess." "By my faith, Barton!" said Falconer, "thou givest such magnificent presents to Lady Lizzie, that to keep Beatie's favour, I shall be a ruined dyvour." "With all the rings and blessed medals these children have got, they might open a trinket shop," said Sybilla. "And hast thou nothing for me?" asked Beatie. "I have the most beautiful veil that the nuns of Sluice could work; but unfortunately, it is still on board the frigate. To-morrow I shall remember it better than I did in the hurry of to-day." "To-morrow the king arrives," said Barton. "Nay--we heard nothing of it," observed Sybilla. "Sir Hew Borthwick, or the man so-called, informed us that the king was coming hither from Stirling on the morrow with the young Duke of Rothesay, and all the court." Lady Margaret's colour heightened at this intelligence, and to conceal her emotion, she hastened to say, "If Borthwick said so, it must be true, for he is one who is never far from those parasites and flatterers who crowd the court at present." "Moreover, he told us that certain ambassadors from France, who are now at the constable's house in the Carse, would be presented soon after." "And on what mission have they come?" asked Sybilla. "I know not; but our right honourable informant, the worthy swashbuckler, hinted--and really this fellow often knows matters which are far above his position--that they had come anent some royal marriage, as the young prince's proposed alliance with the House of England has been so fortunately broken off since my poor father's battle in the English Channel."