In the castle hall the
retainers of the French ambassador slept side by side, or heads and
tails with the archers of the house-guard. Lights flickered on the
turnpike stair which led to the upper floors. The servitors had
cleared the great hall, and here on a dais, raised above the "marsh"
and sheltered by an arras curtain hastily arranged, James the Gross
slept on a soft French bed, which he had caused to be brought all the
way from his castle of Strathavon on the moors of Lanarkshire.
In the Earl's chamber on the third floor was lodged the Marshal de
Retz. Next him ranged the apartment of the countess. Here also was the
Lady Sybilla at the end of the passage in the guest chamber which
looked to the north, and from the windows of which she could see the
broad river dividing itself about the castle island, and flowing as
calmly on as if the stern feudal pile had been a peaceful monastery
and the waving war banners no more than so many signs of holy cross.
Above, in the low-roofed chambers, which gave upon the wooden balcony,
were the apartments of Maud Lindesay and her charge, little Margaret
Douglas, the Fair Maid of Galloway.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141