On entering her father's apartment, Lady Helen found him alone. She
repeated to him the substance of her conversation with Wallace's
faithful servant; "and my wish is," continued she, "to have the
murdered lady's remains entombed in the cemetery of this castle."
The earl approved her request, with expressions of satisfaction at the
filial affection which so lively a gratitude to his preserver evinced.
"May I, then, my dear father," returned she, "have your permission to
pay our debt of gratitude to Sir William Wallace to the utmost of our
power?"
"You are at liberty, my noble child, to do as you please. My vassals,
my coffers, are all at your command."
Helen kissed his hand. "May I have what I please from the Bothwell
armory?"
"Command even there," said the earl; "your uncle Bothwell is too true a
Scot to grudge a sword in so pious a cause."
Helen threw her arms about her father's neck, thanking him tenderly,
and with a beating heart retired to prosecute her plans. Murray, who
met her in the anteroom, informed her that fifty men, the sturdiest in
the glen, awaited her orders; while she, telling her cousin of the
earl's approval, took the sacred banner in her hand, and followed him
to the gallery in the hall.
Pages:
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120