"'
"I marle the skipper took us on board," said Richie.
"Then you need not marvel how you are to get back again," said Lord
Nigel, "for here is a clause which says, that such idle suitors are to
be transported back to Scotland at his Majesty's expense, and punished
for their audacity with stripes, stocking, or incarceration, according
to their demerits--that is to say, I suppose, according to the degree
of their poverty, for I see no other demerit specified."
"This will scarcely," said Richie, "square with our old proverb--
A King's face
Should give grace--
But what says the paper farther, my lord?"
"O, only a small clause which especially concerns us, making some
still heavier denunciations against those suitors who shall be so bold
as to approach the Court, under pretext of seeking payment of old
debts due to them by the king, which, the paper states, is, of all
species of importunity, that which is most odious to his Majesty."
"The king has neighbours in that matter," said Richie; "but it is not
every one that can shift off that sort of cattle so easily as he
does."
Their conversation was here interrupted by a knocking at the door.
Olifaunt looked out at the window, and saw an elderly respectable
person whom he knew not. Richie also peeped, and recognised, but,
recognising, chose not to acknowledge, his friend of the preceding
evening.
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