"I feel the strength of our
cause; and from this hour, I devote myself to assert it, or to die."
"Not to die! my noble lord," said Murray; "we have yet many an eve to
dance over the buried fetters of Scotland. And as a beginning of our
jollities, I must remind our leader that my aunt's board awaits him."
Lord Lennox understood from this address it was the brave Murray who
spoke to him; for he had heard sufficient from Sir Roger Kirkpatrick to
explain how the Countess of Mar and her patriot husband came within
those walls.
The countess, having arrayed herself with all her powers to receive her
deliverer, awaited the hour of his arrival with an emotion at her
heart, which made it bound against her bosom, when she saw the object
of her splendid toil advancing along the courtyard. All others were
lost to her impatient eyes; and hastily rising from the window as the
chiefs entered the porch, she crossed the room to meet them at the door.
The Earl of Lennox stood amazed at sight of so much beauty and splendor
in such a scene. Lady mar had hardly attained her thirty-fifth year;
but from the graces of her person, and the address with which she set
forth all her charms, the enchanted gazer found it impossible to
suppose her more than three or four and twenty.
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