human
Great God, she moaned,
gpt
Douglas! cried the king roused at the hated name.
human
How can there be Douglases in the Castle of Doune; my mother's house, constabled by my friend, young Stuart.
gpt
Your mother's house? said the girl with an uncanny laugh.
human
When has the Lady Margaret set foot in Doune? Not since she was divorced from my uncle, Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus! And the constable? Aye, the constable is in Stirling. Doune Castle stands gloomy and alone, but in Stirling with the young king, there are masques, and hunting and gaiety. Young Stuart draws the revenues of his charge, but pays slight attention to the fulfilment of his duty.
gpt
You are then Isabel Douglas? And now, to echo your own question, how came you here? If this is a den of Douglases, as you say, how comes my mother's castle to be officered by the enemies of her son?
human
That you ask such a question shows little foresight or knowledge of men. When your first step-father, and my uncle, Archibald Douglas, had control of this castle through your mother's name, he filled it with his own adherents.
gpt
Naturally; nepotism was a well-known trait of my domineering step-father, which did not add to his popularity in Scotland. Who can get office, or justice against a Douglas? was their cry. But did not young Stuart, when he was made constable, put in his own men?
human
The constable cares nothing for this stronghold so long as it furnishes money which he may spend gaily in Stirling.
gpt
I see. So you and your sister found refuge among your underlings? and where so safe from search as within the king's mother's own fortress, almost under the shadow of Stirling? An admirable device. Why then do you jeopardise your safety by letting me into the secret?
human
I fear, she said,
gpt
You mean that I am in danger?
human
The same stronghold which gives immunity to a family of the Red Douglases can hardly be expected to confer security upon James the Fifth, their persecutor.
gpt
No. Certainly that would be too much to expect. Are you then in this plot against me, my lady?
human
I have not heard of any plot. If there is one I know nothing of it. I merely acquaint you with some hint of my fears.
gpt
Then I charge you as a loyal subject of the lawful king, to guide me from this stronghold, into which I have been cozened by treachery and falsehood.