"Some days after our arrival, my dear father was brought to Stirling.
Though a captive in the town, I was not then confined to any closer
durance than the walls. While he was yet passing through the streets,
rumor told my aunt that the Scottish lord then leading to prison was
her beloved brother. She flew to me in agony to tell me the dreadful
tidings. I heard no more, saw no more, till, having rushed into the
streets, and bursting through every obstacle of crowd and soldiers, I
found myself clasped in my father's arms-in his shackled arms! What a
moment was that! Where was Sir William Wallace in that hour? Where
the brave unknown knight, who had sworn to me to seek my father, and
defend him with his life? Both were absent, and he was in chains.
"My grief and distraction baffled the attempts of the guards to part
us, and what became of me I know not until I found myself lying on a
couch, attended by many women, and supported by my aunt. When I had
recovered to lamentation and to tears, my aunt told me I was in the
apartments of the deputy warden. He, with Cressingham, having gone out
to meet the man they had so basely drawn into their toils, De Valence
himself saw the struggles of paternal affection contending against the
men who would have torn a senseless daughter from his arms, and yet,
merciless man! he separated us, and sent me, with my aunt, a prisoner
to his house.
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