Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 9.djvu/201

 1570.] THE RISING OF THE frORTH. 18? bring foreign armies upon the soil of his country. Westmoreland was soft and weak. 'The tears over- hailed his cheeks abundantly/ Norton appeared equally penitent. They both thought it might be better for them ' to take their chance by voluntary surrender than to risk being taken/ The moment for the temptation was well chosen. Westmoreland had reason to doubt the continued hospitality of Fernihurst. He had been amusing himself with the Laird's ' new wanton lady/ a daughter of Sir William Kirkaldy, and had disturbed the peace of the household. Constable advised them to go to England and ' hide at some friend's house/ from which they ' could make their submission, craving no- thing but life.' He offered them 'his own guides/ ' Border outlaws, who would not betray any man that trusted in them for all the gold in Scotland or in France/ He even said in his generosity, ' that he would receive them in his own home, where they might be sure of such safety as he could provide ; for if they were taken he would hang at their side/ They required a few hours to consider. To support his character, Sir Robert spent the night at a house in Jedburgh, which was the haunt of the most desperate men upon the Borders. The place was thronged with them. They were playing at cards when he came in, ' some for drink, some for hardheads/ 1 He sat down at the game. They were talking of the Regent. ' They wished they had Hector of Harlaw's head to be eaten 1 A small coin.