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ch they absolutely fought out their degrees。 There were few colleges as yet； and those resident in them were the elite； beyond； there was a great mob of scholars living in rooms as they could； generally very poor； and often very disorderly； but they did not mar the quiet semi… monastic stillness within the foundations； and to Malcolm it seemed as if the truly congenial home was opened。
The curriculum of science began to reveal itself to him with all the stages so inviting to a mind conscious of power and longing for cultivation。 The books； the learned atmosphere； the infinite possibilities； were delightful to him； and opened a more delightful future。 His metaphysical Scottish mind delighted in the scholastic arguments that were now first set before him； and his readiness； appreciation； and eager power of acquiring surprised his teachers； and made him the pride of New College。
When he looked back at his year of court and camp； he could only marvel at having ever preferred them。 In war his want of bodily strength would make real distinction impossible； here he felt himself excelling； here was absolute enjoyment； and of a kind without drawback。 Scholarship must be his true element and study： the deep universal study of the sisterhood of science that the University offered was his veritable vocation。 Surely it was not without significance that the ring that shone on his finger betrothed him to Esclairmonde； the Light of the World； for though in person the maiden was never to be his own； she was the emblem to him of the pure virgin light of truth and wisdom that he would be for ever wooing； and winning only to see further lights beyond。 Human nature felt a pang at the knowledge that he was bound to deliver up the ring and resign his connection with that fair and stately maiden； but the pain that had been sore at first had diminished under the sense that he stood in a post of generous trust； and that his sacrifice was the passport to her grateful esteem。 He knew her to be with Lady Montagu； awaiting a vacancy at St。 Katharine's； and this would be the signal for dissolving the contract of marriage； after which his present vision was to bestow Lilias upon Patrick； make over his estates to them； take minor orders； and set forth for Italy； there to pursue those deeper studies in theology and language for which Padua and Bologna were famous。 It was many months since he had heard of Lilias； but this did not give him any great uneasiness； for messengers were few； and letter…writing far from being a common practice。 He had himself written at every turning…point of his life； and sent his letters when the King communicated with Scotland； but from his sister he had heard nothing。
He had lately won his first degree as Bachelor of Arts； and was descending the stair from the Hall after a Lenten meal on salt fish； when he saw below him the well…known figure of King James's English servant； who doffing his cap held out to him a small strip of folded paper； fastened by a piece of crimson silk and the royal seal。 It only bore the words：…
TO OUR RIGHT TRUSTY AND WELL…BELOVED COUSIN THE LORD MALCOLM STEWART OF GLENUSKIE THIS LETTER BE TAKEN。
'DEAR COUSIN；
'We greet you well； and pray you to come to us without loss of time； having need of you； we being a free man and no captive。
'Yours； 'JAMES R。
'Written at the Castle of Windsor this St。 David's Day； 1424。'
'A free man：' the words kept ringing in Malcolm's ears while he hastened to obtain license from Warden John Bonke； and to take leave of Dr。 Bennet。 He had not left Oxford since the beginning of his residence there。 Vacations were not general dispersions when ways and means of transit were so scarce and tardy； and Malcolm had been long without seeing his king。 Joy on his sovereign's account； and his country's； seemed to swallow up all other thoughts； as to himself； when he bade his friends and masters farewell； he declared it was merely for a time； and when they shook their heads and augured otherwise； he replied： 'Nay； think you I could live in the Cimmerian darkness yonder； dear sirs？ Our poor country hath nothing better than mere monastery schools； and light of science having once shone on me； I cannot but dwell in her courts for ever！ Soon shall I be altogether her son and slave！'
Nevertheless； Malcolm was full of eagerness； and pressed on rapidly through the lanes between Oxford and Windsor； rejoicing to find himself amid the noble trees of the forest； over which arose in all its grandeur the Castle and Round Tower； as beautiful though less unique than now； and bearing on it the royal standard； for the little King was still nursed there。
Under the vaulted gateway Jameswith Patrick and Bairdsbrae behind himmet Malcolm； and threw his arms round him； crying： 'Ay； kiss me； boy； 'tis a king and no caitiff you kiss now！ Another six weeks； and then for the mountain and the moor and the bonnie north countree。'
'And why not for a month？' was Malcolm's question； as hand and eye and face responded heartily。
'Why？ Why； because moneys must be told down； and treaties signed； ay； and Lent is no time for weddings； nor March for southland roses to travel to our cold winds。 Ay； Malcolm； you see a bridegroom that is to be！ Did you think I was going home without her？'
'I did not think you would be in such glee even at being free； my lord； if you were。'
'And now； Malcolm； ken ye of ony fair Scottish lassiea cousin of mine ain； who could be had to countenance my bride at our wedding； and ride with us thereafter to Scotland？'
'I know whom your Grace means；' said Malcolm； smiling。
'An if you do； maybe； Malcolm； sin she bides not far frae the border； ye'd do me the favour of riding with Sir Patrick here； and bringing her to the bridal；' said the King； making his accent more home…like and Scottish than Malcolm had ever heard it before。
The happiness of that spring afternoon was surpassing。 The King linked his arm into Malcolm's； and walked up and down with him on the slopes； telling him all that had led to this consummation； how Walter Stewart and his brothers had become so insolent and violent as to pass the endurance of their father the Regent； as well as of all honest Scots； and how； after secret negotiations and vain endeavours to obtain from him a pledge of indemnity for all that had happened； the matter had been at length opened with Gloucester； Beaufort； and the Council。 The Scottish nation； with Albany at the head； was really recalling the King。 This was the condition on which Henry V。 had always declared that he should be liberated； these were the terms on which he had always hoped to return； and his patience was at last rewarded。 Bedford had sent his joyful consent； and all was now concluded。 James was really free； and waited only for his marriage。
'I would not tell you； Malcolm； while there might yet be a slip between cup and lip；' said the King； 'it might have hindered the humanities； and yet I needed you as much when I was glad as when all seemed like to fail！'
'You had Patrick；' said Malcolm。
'Patrick's a tall and trusty fellow；' said the King； 'with a shrewd wit； and like to be a right…hand man； but there's something