The monastery; The abbot.

522 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
armour, and ready to follow the Queen's standard in array of battle, tho
avowed determination being to escort her to the Castle of Dunbarton in
defiance of her enemies.
The muster was made upon Hamilton-Moor, and the march commenced
in all the pomp of feudal times. Military music sounded, banners and
pennons waved, armour glittered far and wide, and spears glanced and
twinkled like stars in a frosty sky. The gallant spectacle of warlike
parade was on this occasion dignified by the presence of the Queen herself,
who, with a fair retinue of ladies and- household attendants, and a special
guard of gentlemen, amongst whom young Seyton and Roland were distinguished, gave grace at once and confidence to the army, which spread its
ample files before, around, and behind her. Many churchmen also joined
the cavalcade, most of whom did not scruple to assume arms, and declare
their intention of wielding them in defence of Mary and the Catholic faith.
Not so the Abbot of Saint Mary's. Roland had not seen this prelate since
the night of their escape from Lochleven, and he now beheld him, robed in
the dress of his order, assume his station near the Queen's person. Roland
hastened to pull off his basnet, and beseech the Abbot's blessing.
"Thou hast it, my son!" said the priest; "I see thee now under thy true
name, and in thy rightful garb. The helmet with the holly branch befits
your brows well-I have long waited for the hour thou shouldst assume it."
" Then you knew of my descent, my good father!" said Roland.
" I did so, but it was under seal of confession from thy grandmother;
nor was I at liberty to tell the secret, till she herself should make it known."
"Her reason for such secrecy, my father?" said Roland Avenel.
" Fear, perchance of my brother-a mistaken fear, for Halbert would not,
to ensure himself a kingdom, have offered wrong to an orphan; besides
that, your title, in quiet times, even had your father done your mother that
justice which I well hope he did, could not have competed with that of my
brother's wife, the child of Julian's elder brother."
" They need fear no competition from me," said Avenel. " Scotland is
wide enough, and there are many manors to win, without plundering my
benefactor. But prove to me, my reverend father, that my father was just
to my mother show me that I may call myself a legitimate Avenel, and
make me your bounden slave for ever."
"4Ay," replied the Abbot, "I. hear the Seytons hold thee cheap for that
stain on thy shield. Something, however, I have learnt from the late Abbot
Boniface, which, if it prove sooth, may redeem that reproach."
"Tell me that blessed news," said Roland, "and the future service of
my life "2
"Rash boy!" said the Abbot, "I should but madden thine impatient
temper, by exciting hopes that may never be fulfilled- and is this a time
for them? Think on what perilous march we are bound, and if thou hast
a sin unconfessed, neglect not the only leisure which Heaven may perJhanpe
afford thee for confession and absolution."
"There will be time enough for both, I trust, when we reach Dunbaitcn,'I
answered the page.
"Ay," said the Abbot, "thou crowest as loudly as the rest -but we are
not yet at Dunbarton, and there is a lion in the path."
" Mean you Murray, Morton, and-the other rebels at Glasgow, my reverend father? Tush! they dare not look on the royal banner."
"Even so," replied the Abbot, " speak many of those who are older, and
should be wiser, than thou. -I have returned from the southern shires,
where I left many a chief of name arming in the Queen's interest -I left
the lords here wise and considerate men- I find them madmen on my
return-they are willing, for mere pride and vain-glory, to brave the enemy,
and to carry the Queen, as it were in triumph, past the walls of Glasgow,
and under the beards of the adverse army. —Seldom does. Heaven smile on