Ah, my beloved general, what Jonathan was to David, I would be to
thee!"
Wallace looked on him with penetrating tenderness; his heart was
suddenly wrung by a recollection, which the words of Edwin had
recalled. "But thy love, Edwin, passes not the love of woman!" "But
it equals it." replied he; "what has been done for thee I would do;
only love me as David did Jonathan, and I shall be the happiest of the
happy." "Be happy then, dear boy!" answered Wallace; "for all that
ever beat in human breast, for friend or brother, lives in my heart for
thee."
At that moment Sir John Graham rejoined them; and some other captains
coming up. Wallace made the proper military dispositions, and every
man took his station at the head of his division.
Until the men had marched far beyond the chance of rumors reaching
Thirlestane, they were not informed of the Earl of Mar's danger. They
conceived their present errand was the recapture of De Valence. "But
at a proper moment," said Wallace, "they shall know the whole truth;
for," added he, "as it is a law of equity, that what concerns all,
should be approved by all, and that common dangers should be repelled
by united efforts, the people who follow our standards, not as
hirelings, but with willing spirits, ought to know our reasons for
requiring their services.
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