Wallace received him with kindness, and
told him to bear his grateful respects to his lady for her care of her
charge. Lord Ruthven with others soon entered; and at the appointed
hour they attended their chief to the citadel.
The council-hall was already filled with the lords who had brought
their clans to the Scottish standard. On the entrance of Wallace they
rose; and Mar coming forward, followed by the heralds and other
officers of ceremony, saluted him with the due forms of regent, and led
him to the throne. Wallace ascended; but it was only to take thence a
packet which had been deposited for him on its cushion, and coming down
again, he laid the parchment on the council-table.
"I can do all things best," said he, "when I am upon a level with my
friends." He then broke the seal of the packet. It was from the
Prince of Wales, agreeing to Wallace's proposed exchange of prisoners,
but denouncing him as the instigator of the rebellion, and threatening
him with a future judgment from his incensed king for the mischief he
had wrought in the realm of Scotland. The letter was finished with a
demand that the town and citadel of Berwick should be surrendered to
England, as a gauge for the quiet of the borders till Edward should
return.
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