"You would teach confidence
to Despair herself," returned she; "again I hope; for God does not
create in vain! You shall know every danger with which that knowledge
is surrounded. He is hemmed in by enemies. Alas, how closely are they
connected with him! Not the English only, but the most powerful of his
countrymen are leagues against him. They sold my father to captivity,
and, perhaps, to death; and I, wretched I, was the price. To free him,
the noblest of Scottish knights is now engaged; but such hosts impede
him, that hope hardly dares hover over his tremendous path."
"Then," cried the stranger, "let my arm be second to his in the great
achievement. My heart yearns to meet a brother in arms who feels for
Scotland what I do; and with such a coadjutor, I dare promise your
father liberty, and that the power of England shall be shaken."
Helen's heart beat violently at these words. "I would not defer the
union of two such minds. Go, then, to the Cartlane Craigs. But, alas!
how can I direct you?" cried she. "The passes are beset with English;
and I know not whether at this moment the brave Wallace survives, to be
again the deliverer of my father!"
Helen paused.
Pages:
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225