"Brave
youth," cried he, "I trust that the power which blesses our cause will
enable me to return you with many a well-earned glory, to the bosom of
your family!"
Edwin was encouraged by the frank address of a hero whom he expected to
have found reserved, and wrapped in the deep glooms of the fate which
had roused him to be a thunderbolt of heaven; but when he saw a benign,
though pale countenance, hail him with smiles, he made a strong effort
to shake off the awe with which the name, and the dignity of figure and
mein of Wallace had oppressed him; and with a mantling blush he
replied: "My family are worthy of your esteem; my father is brave; but
my mother, fearing for me, her favorite son, prevailed on him to put me
into a monastery. Dreading the power of the English, even there she
allowed none but the abbot to know who I was. And as he chose to hide
my name-and I have burst from my concealment without her knowledge-till
I do something worthy of that name, and deserving her pardon, permit
me, noble Wallace, to follow your footsteps by the simple appellation
of Edwin."
"Noble boy," returned the chief, "your wish shall be respected.
Pages:
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272