The monastery; The abbot.

396 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
Roland most heartily returned the grasp of the hand, and Woodcock,
having taken a deep draught, continued his farewell speech.
"There are three things I warn you against, Roland, now that you art
to tread this weary world without my experience to assist you. In the first
place, never draw dagger on slight occasion-every man's doublet is not so
well stuffed as a certain abbot's that you wot of. Secondly, fly not at every
pretty girl, like a merlin at a thrush-ybu will not always win a gold chain
for your labour -and, by the way, here I return to you your fanfarona —
keep it close, it is weighty, and may benefit you at a pinch more ways than
one. Thirdly, and to conclude, as our worthy preacher says, beware of the
pottle-pot- it has drenched the judgment of wiser men than you. I could
bring some instances of it, but I dare say it needeth not; for if. you should
forget your own mishaps, you will scarce fail to remember mine -And so
farewell, my dear son."
Roland returned his good wishes, and failed not to send his humble duty
to his kind Lady, charging the falconer, at the same time, to express his
regret that he should have offended her, and his determination so to bear
him in the world that she would not be ashamed of the generous protection
she had afforded him.
The falconer embraced his young friend, mounted his stout, round-made,
trotting-nag, which the serving-man, who had attended him, held ready at
the door, and took the road to the southward. A sullen and heavy sound
echoed from the horse's feet, as if indicating the sorrow of the good-natured
rider. Every hoof-tread seemed to tap upon Roland's heart as he heard his
comrade withdraw with so little of his usual alert activity, and felt that he
was once more alone in the world.
He was roused from his reverie by Michael Wing-the-wind, who reminded
him that it was necessary they should instantly return to the palace, as my
Lord Regent went to the Sessions early in the morning. They went thither
accordingly, and Wing-the-wind, a favourite old domestic, who was admitted
nearer to the Regent's person and privacy, than many whose posts were
more ostensible, soon introduced Grome into a small matted chamber, where
he had an audience of the present head of the troubled State of Scotland.
The Earl of Murray was clad in a sad-coloured morning-gown, with a cap
and slippers of the same cloth, but, even in this easy d6shabille, held his
sheathed rapier in his hand, a precaution which he adopted when receiving
strangers, rather in compliance with the earnest remonstrances of his friends
and partisans, than from any personal apprehensions of his own. Ile answered with a silent nod the respectful obeisance of the page, and took one
or two turns through the small apartment in silence, fixing his keen eye on
Roland, as if he wished to penetrate into his very soul. At length he broke
silence.
" Your name is, I think, Julian Greme?"
" Roland Grieme, my lord, not Julian," replied the page.
" Right - I was misled by some trick of my memory - Roland Grsme,
from the Debateable Land. - Roland, thou knowest the duties which belong
to a lady's service?"
"I should know them, my lord," replied Roland, "having been bred so
near the person of my Lady of Avenel; but I trust never more to practise
them, as the Knight hath promised~"
"Be silent, young man," said the Regent, "I am to speak, and you to
hear and obey. It is necessary that, for some space at least, you shall
again enter into the service of a lady, who, in rank, hath no equal in Scotland; and this service accomplished, I give thee my word as Knight and
Prince, that it shall open to you a course of ambition, such as may well
gratify the aspiring wishes of one whom circumstances entitle to entertain
much higher views than thou. I will take thee into my household and near
to my person, or, at your own choice, I will give you the command of a foot