He started up, and staggering toward her, would have fallen,
had not Grimsby supported him. "O what a sight is this!" cried he,
wringing his hands. "My lady! my lovely lady! see how low she lies who
was once the delight of all eyes, the comforter of all hearts." The
old man's sobs suffocated him. The veteran turned away his face, a
tear dropped upon his hand. "Accursed Heselrigge," ejaculated he, "thy
fate must come!"
"If there be a man's heart in all Scotland, it is not far distant!"
cried Halbert. "My master lives, and will avenge this murder. You
weep, soldier; and you will not betray what has now escaped me."
"I have fought in Palestine," returned he, "and a soldier of the cross
betrays none who trust him. Saint Mary preserve your master and
conduct you safely to him. We must both hasten hence. Heselrigge will
surely send in pursuit of me. He is too vile to forgive the truth I
have spoken to him; and should I fall into his power, death is the best
I could expect at his hands. Let me assist you to put this poor lady's
remains into some decent place; and then, my honest Scot, we must
separate."
Halbert, at these words, threw himself upon the bosom of his mistress,
and wept with loud lamentations over her.
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