"In that chamber," said he, "lodges the Lady Helen."
"Ah, my poor cousin," exclaimed Murray; "though she seems not to have
tasted the hardships of her parents, she has shared their misery, I do
not doubt." While he spoke, the lieutenant bowed in silence, and
Murray entered alone. The chamber was magnificent, and illumined by a
lamp which hung from the ceiling. He cautiously approached the bed,
fearing too hastily to disturb her, and gently pulling aside the
curtains, beheld vacancy. An exclamation of alarm had almost escaped
him, when observing a half-open door at the other side of the
apartment, he drew toward it, and there beheld his cousin, with her
back to him, kneeling before a crucifix. She spoke not, but the fervor
of her action manifested how earnestly she prayed. He moved behind
her, but she heard him not; her whole soul was absorbed in the success
of her petition; and at last raising her clasped hands in a paroxysm of
emotion, she exclaimed,-"If that trumpet sounded the victory of the
Scots, then, Power of Goodness! receive thy servant's thanks. But if
De Warenne have conquered, where De Valence has failed; if all whom I
love be lost to me here, take me then to thyself, and let my freed
spirit fly to their embraces in heaven!"
"Ay, and on earth too, thou blessed angel!" cried Murray, throwing
himself toward her.
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