human
You know the king's writing perhaps? Will you tell me whether this is, as I suspect, a forgery?
gpt
I have seen the writing of his majesty, he said at last,
human
he continued, passing on the parchment to his friend.
gpt
Is this the real Mackay, or is it not?
human
It is,
gpt
You say that is the actual signature of the king?
human
I could swear it is as genuine as the one on your charter,
gpt
Well, now, said MacLeod leaning back in his chair,
human
James is a douce body, said the king,
gpt
You hint, then, said MacLeod, drawing down his black brows,
human
Truth to tell, Laird of Dunvegan, it is more than likely,
gpt
You two gentlemen probably know the fate of spies when they are captured. Their fate is a short shrift, and a long rope.
human
And quite properly so,
gpt
I am glad that you are so well informed, and need no instruction from me,
human
MacLeod of Skye, he cried,
gpt
I have only your word to set against my own doubts,
human
My word and your doubts are both aside from the purpose. Your mind has become confused. Unless you are at war with James of Scotland, there can be spies neither in the domain you hold under his hand, nor in the kingdom over which he rules. Are you a rebel against your king, MacLeod of Skye?
gpt
That I am not,
human
Very well then. You see the absurdity of an argument on espionage. MacDonald and I have as much right on the island of Skye as you have, because it is part of the Kingdom of Scotland, and we are loyal, if humble subjects of his majesty.
gpt
You are not come here then to report on the condition of Skye?
human
We came here of our own free will; the messengers of no man, and we are to report to no man. If the king should ask me any question regarding my visit to Skye, I would answer him, that I had met with the utmost courtesy, except from its chief. I would say that MacLeod of MacLeod was so ignorant regarding the usages of good society that he received us sitting down, and never asked us to be seated, an error in politeness which I was myself forced to amend. MacDonald, plant yourself on that chair beside you. I will take this one.
gpt
Now, my Lord of Skye, he said,
human
By God! you may be a small farmer, but you are a brave man. You are the first who has questioned the authority of the MacLeod on his own ground. So the case being without precedent, one has to be made, and that will require some thought. We will postpone the question until later. I trust you will both honour me with your presence at dinner this evening, but if you prefer it, you may sup alone in your own apartments.
gpt
We are sociable travellers, said the king rising, for the laird's words had in them an inflection of dismissal,