The monastery; The abbot.

THE ABBOT. 423
replied with the question spoken.in a low tone, but looking at the page -
" Is he of gentle blood and well nurtured?
The answer which she received seemed satisfactory, for she said to Roland,
"Sit down, young gentleman, and eat with your sisters in captivity."
" Permit me rather to perform my duty in attending them," said Roland,
anxious to show he was possessed of the high tone of deference prescribed
]by the rules of chivalry towards the fair sex, and especially to dames and
maidens of quality.
"You will find, Sir Page," said Catherine, "you will have little time
allowed you for your meal; waste it not in ceremony, or you may rue your
politeness ere to-morrow morning."
"Your speech is too free, maiden," said the elder lady; "the modesty of
the youth may teach you more fitting fashions towards one whom to-day
you have seen for the first time."
Catherine Seyton cast down her eyes, but not till she had given a single
glance of inexpressible archness towards Roland, whom her more grave
companion now addressed in a tone of protection.
" Regard her not, young gentleman - she knows little of the world, save
the forms of a country nunnery -take thy place at the board-end, and
refresh thyself after thy journey."
Roland Graeme obeyed willingly, as it was the first food he had that day
tasted; for Lindesay and his followers seemed regardless of human wants.
Yet, notwithstanding the sharpness of his appetite, a natural gallantry of
disposition, the desire of showing himself a well-nurtured gentleman, in all
courtesies towards the fair sex, and, for aught I know, the pleasure of
assisting Catherine Seyton, kept his attention awake, during the meal, to
all those nameless acts of duty and service which gallants of that age were
accustomed to render. He carved with neatness and decorum, and selected
duly whatever was most delicate to place before the ladies. Ere they could
form a wish, he sprung from the table, ready to comply with it- poured
wine-tempered it with water-removed the exchanged trenchers, and
performed the whole honours of the table, with an air at once of cheerful
diligence, profound respect, and graceful promptitude.
When he observed that they had finished eating, he hastened to offer to
the elder lady the silver ewer, basin, and napkin, with the ceremony and
gravity which he would have used towards Mary herself. He next, with
the same decorum, having supplied the basin with fair water, presented it
to Catherine Seyton. Apparently; she was determined to disturb his selfpossession, if possible; for, while in the act of bathing her hands, she contrived, as it were by accident, to flirt some drops of water upon the face of
the assiduous assistant. But if such was her mischievous purpose she was
completely disappointed; for Roland Grseme, internally piquing himself on
his self-command, neither laughed nor was discomposed; and all that the
maiden gained by her frolic was a severe rebuke from her companion, taxing her with mal-address and indecorum. Catherine replied not, but sat
pouting, something in the humour of a spoilt child, who watches the opportunity of wreaking upon some one or other its resentment for a deserved
reprimand.
The Lady Mary Fleming, in the meanwhile, was naturally well pleased
with the exact and reverent observance of the page, and said to Catherine,
after a favourable glance at Roland Grome, - " You might well say,
Catherine, our companion in captivity was well born and gentle nurtured.
I would not make him vain by my praise, but his services enable us to dispense with those which George Douglas condescends not to afford us, save
when the Queen is herself in presence."
"Umph! I think hardly," answered Catherine. " George Douglas is one
of the most handsome gallants in Scotland, and'tis pleasure to see him even
still, when the gloom of Lochleven Castle has shed the same melancholy