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blessed task。 Every task must be blessed to which He leads。 And when you are enlightened with that light； you will hold it up to others。 When you have found the treasure； you will scatter it here； and so lay it up above。'
Esclairmonde's words were almost a riddle to Malcolm； but his reverence for her made him lay them up deeply； as he watched her kneeling at the Mass； her upturned face beaming with an angelic expression。
His mind was much calmed by this meeting。 It had had an absolutely contrary effect to what King James had expected； by spiritualizing his love； and increasing that reverence which cast out its earthliness。 That first throb which had been so keen at meeting； and knowing her not for him； had passed away in the refining of that distant worship he had paid her in those days of innocence。
Lady Montagu was quite satisfied with him now。 He was the Malcolm of her first acquaintance； only without his foolish diffidence； and with a weight and earnestness that made him a man and not a boy； and she cordially invited him to bring his sister with him； and rest； on the way southward。 He agreed most thankfully； since this would be the only opportunity of showing Esclairmonde and Lilias one to the other； as well as one of his own few chances of seeing Esclairmonde。
Once they must meet； that their promises might be restored the one to the other； but as the betrothal remained the lady's security； this could not be done till she became pledged at St。 Katharine's。 When the opportunity came； she was to send Malcolm a messenger； and he would come to her at once。 Until then he promised that he would not leave Great Britain。
On Monday the cousins proceeded； coming after a time to the route by which Malcolm had ridden three years before； and where he was now at home in comparison with Patrick。 How redolent it was with recollections of King Harry； in all his gaiety and grace； ere the shock of his brother's death had fallen on him！ At Thirsk； Malcolm told of the prowess and the knighthood of honest Trenton and Kitson； to somewhat incredulous ears。 The two squires had been held as clownish fellows； and the sentiment of the country was that Mistress Agnes was well quit of them； and the rough guardianship by which they had kept off all other suitors。 As mine host concluded； ''Tis a fine thing to go to the wars。'
Hearing that Kitson's mother lived not a mile out of his way； Malcolm rode to the fine old moated grange； where he found her sitting at her spinning； presiding over a great plentiful household； while her second son； a much shrewder…looking man than Sir Christopher； managed the farm。
The travellers were welcomed with eager hospitality so soon as it was understood that they brought tidings of 'our Kit'； and Malcolm's story was listened to with tears of joy by the old lady； while the brother could not get over his amazement at hearing that Trenton and Kitson had become a proverb in the camp for oneness in friendship。
'Made it up with Will Trenton！ And never fought it out！ I'd never know our Kit again after that！'
His steady bravery； his knighthood； and the King's praise； his having assisted in saving Lord Glenuskie's life against such odds； did not seem to strike Wilfred Kitson half as much as the friendship with Trenton； and Malcolm did not think the regret was very great at the two knights having given up their intention of returning。 'Our Kit's' place seemed to have closed up behind him； Wilfred seemed to be too much master to be ready to give up to the elder brother； and even the mother had learnt to do without him。 'I'll warrant；' quoth she； 'that now he is a knight and got used to fine French ways； he'll think nothing good enow for him。 And if he brought Will Trenton with him； I'd not sit at the board with the fellow。But ye'll ride over； Wilfred； and take care the minx Agnes knows what she's lost。 Ay； and if you knew of a safe hand； Sir； when the shearing is over I'd send the lad a purse of nobles to keep up his knighthood in the camp； forsooth。'
'Certes；' said Malcolm； as after a salt…fish dinner he mounted again； 'if honest Kitson knew； he would scarce turn back from the camp； where he is somebody。 Shall we find ourselves as little wanted when we get home； Patie？'
Patrick drew himself up with a happy face of secret assurance。 Nothing could make Lilias forsake him； he well knew。
At Durham they found their good friend Father Akefield； erst Prior of Coldingham； but who had been violently dispossessed by the House of Albany in favour of their candidate； Drax； about a year before； and was thankful to have been allowed with a few English monks to retire across the Border to the mother Abbey at Durham。
The good father could hardly believe his eyes when he beheld Malcolm； now a comely and personable young gentleman； less handsome and graceful indeed than many； but with all his painful personal peculiarities gone； with none of the scared； imploring look； but with a grave thoughtful earnestness about his face； as though all that once was timid and wandering was now fixed and steadfast。
Father Akefield could tell nothing of Lilias since his own expulsion； but as the Prioress of St。 Abbs was herself a Drummond； and no one durst interfere with her； he had no alarms for her safety。 But he advised the two gentlemen to go straight to St。 Abbs； without showing themselves at Coldingham； lest Prior Drax； being in the Albany interest； should make any demur at giving her up to the care of the brother； who still wanted some months of his twenty…first year。
Accordingly they pushed on； and in due time slept at Berwick； receiving civilities from the English governor that chafed Patrick's blood； which became inflammable as soon as he neared the Border； and rising early the next morning； they passed the gates； and were on Scottish ground once more； their hearts bounding at the sense that it was their own land； and would soon be no more a land of misrule。 With their knowledge of King James and his intentions； well might they have unlimited hopes for the country over which he was about to reign。
They turned aside from Coldingham； and made for the sea； and at length the promontory of St。 Abbs Head rose before them； they passed through the outer buildings intended as shelter for the attendants of ladies coming to the nunnery； and knocked at the gateway。
A wicket in the door was opened； and the portress looked out through a grating。
'Benedicite； good Sister；' said Malcolm。 'Prithee tell the Mother Abbess that Malcolm Stewart of Glenuskie is here from the King； and craves to speak with her and the Lady Lilias。'
'Lord Malcolm！ Lady Lilias！ St。 Ebba's good mercy！' shrieked the affrighted portress。 They heard her rushing headlong across the court； and looked on one another in consternation。
Patrick betook himself to knocking as if he would beat down the door； and Malcolm leant against it with a foreboding that took away his breathdreading the moment when it should be opened。
The portress and her keys returned again； and parleyed a moment。 'You are the Lord Malcolm in very deedin the flesh？'
'Wherefore not？' demanded Malcolm。
'Nay； but we heard ye were slain； my lord；' expla