"Rise," said he to the youth, "and behold in this lady the
object of the service to which I appoint you. You will soon, I hope,
be sufficiently recovered to attend upon her wishes as you would upon
mine. Be her servant and her guard; and when we meet again, as she
will then be under the protection of her father, if you do not prefer
so gentle a service before the rougher one of war, I will resume you to
myself."
The youth, who had obeyed the knight and risen, bowed respectfully; and
Helen, uttering some incoherent words of thanks, to hide her agitation
turned away. The hermit exclaimed, "Again, my son, I beseech Heaven to
bless thee!"
"And may its guardian care shield all here!" replied the knight. Helen
looked up to bid him a last farewell-but he was gone. The hermit had
left the cell with him, and the youth also had disappeared into the
inner cave. Being left alone, she threw herself down before the altar,
and giving way to a burst of tears, inwardly implored protection for
that brave knight's life; and by his means to grant safety to Wallace,
and freedom to her father!
As she prayed, her emotion subsided and a holy confidence elevating her
mind, she remained in an ecstasy of hope, till a solemn voice from
behind her called her from this happy trance.
Pages:
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232