With an anguish which
hardly the freedom he was going to bestow could ameliorate, the earl
rushed forward, and, throwing himself beside her, caught her in his
arms.
"Are we, then, to die?" cried she, in a voice of horror. "Has Wallace
abandoned us? Are we to perish? Heartless-heartless man!"
Overcome by his emotions, the earl could only strain her to his breast
in speechless agitation. Edwin saw a picture of his mother's
sufferings, in the present distraction of the countess; and he felt his
powers of utterance locked up; but Lord Andrew, whose ever-light heart
was gay the moment he was no longer unhappy, jocosely answered, "My
fair aunt, there are many hearts to die by your eyes before that day!
and, meanwhile, I come from Sir William Wallace-to set you free!"
The name of Wallace, and the intimation that he had sent to set her
free, drove every former thought of death and misery from her mind;
again the ambrosial gales of love seemed to breathe around her-she saw
not her prison walls; she felt herself again in his presence; and in a
blissful trance, rather endured than participated in the warm
congratulations of her husband on their mutual safety.
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