"
Her heart was thus discoursing with itself when a page opened the door
for her cousin, who begged admittance. She had just fastened the
flowing charge into its azure field, and while embroidering the motto,
gladly assented.
"You know not, my good old man," said the gallant Murray to Halbert, as
he conducted him across the galleries, "what a noble mind is contained
in that lovely young creature. I was brought up with her, and to the
sweet contagion of her taste do I owe that love of true glory which
carries me to the side of Sir William Wallace. The virtuous only can
awaken any interest in her heart; and in these degenerate days long
might have been its sleep had not the history which my uncle recounted
of your brave master aroused her attention, and filled her with an
admiration equal to my own. I know she rejoices in my present
destination. And to prevent her hearing from your own lips all you
have now told me of the mild as well as heroic virtues of my intended
commander-all you have said of the heroism of his wife-would be
depriving her of a mournful pleasure, only to be appreciated by a heart
such as hers."
The gray-haired bard of Ellerslie, who had ever received the dearest
reward of his songs in the smiles of its mistress, did not require
persuasion to appear before the gentle lady of Mar, or to recite in her
ears the story of the departed loveliness, fairer than poet ever
feigned.
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