Whence else
could have come the double information? And if so," added he, with
tremendous emphasis, "may the blast of slavery ever pursue him and his
posterity!"
Helen shuddered, as the amen to this frightful malediction was echoed
by the voices of Halbert and the soldier. The latter continued:
"When I informed Lord Mar of these measures against Wallace, he
expressed a hope that your first detachment to his assistance might,
with yourself, perhaps, at its head, elude their vigilance, and join
his friend. This discourse reminded him of the iron box. 'It is in
that closet,' said his lordship, pointing to an opposite door; you will
find it beneath the little altar, before which I pay my daily duties to
the allwise Dispenser of the fates of men; else where would be my
confidence now? Take it thence, and buckle it to your side."
"I obeyed, and he then proceeded: 'There are two passages in this house
which lead to the sanctuary. The one nearest to us is the safest for
you. A staircase from the closet you have just left will lead you
directly into the chapel. When there hasten to the image of the
Virgin, and slip aside the marble tablet on the back of the pedestal:
it will admit you to a flight of steps; descend them, and at the bottom
you will find a door, that will convey you into a range of cellars.
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