The earl, not
marking whether it were silk or rushes, placed himself beside her.
Murray drew a stool toward them, while Kirkpatrick, tired of his
gallant duty, abruptly took his leave.
"My dear Andrew," said the earl, "in the midst of this proud rejoicing
there is yet a canker at my heart. Tell me, that when my beloved Helen
disappeared in the tumult at Bothwell, she was under your protection?"
"She was," replied Murray; "and I thank the holy St. Fillan, she is now
in the sanctuary of his church."
Murray then recounted to his relieved uncle every event, from the
moment of his withdrawing behind the arras, to that of his confiding
the English soldier with the iron box to the care of the prior. Lord
Mar sighed heavily when he spoke of that mysterious casket. "Whatever
it contained," said he, "it has drawn after it much evil and much good.
The domestic peace of Wallace was ruined by it; and the spirit which
now restores Scotland to herself was raised by his wrongs."
"But tell me," added he, "do you think my daughter safe, so near a
garrison of the enemy?"
"Surely, my lord," cried the countess, too well remembering the
enthusiasm with which Helen had regarded even the unknown Wallace:
"surely you would not bring that tender child into a scene like this!
Rather send a messenger to convey her secretly to Thirlestan; at that
distance she will be safe, and under the powerful protection of her
grandfather.
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