Ambition, as well as love, impelled him to
this resolution; and he foresaw that the vast influence which his
marriage with the daughter of Mar must give him in the country, would
be a decisive argument with the King of England.
To this purpose, not doubting the Scottish's earl acceptance of such a
son-in-law, on the very day that Wallace marched toward the coast, De
Valence sent to request an hour's private audience of Lord Mar. He
could not then grant it; but at noon, next day, they met in the
governor's apartments.
The Southron, without much preface, opened his wishes, and proffered
his hand for the Lady Helen. "I'll make her the proudest lady in Great
Britain," continued he; "for she shall have a court in my Welsh
province, little inferior to that of Edward's queen."
"Pomp would have no sway with my daughter," replied the earl; "it is
the princely mind she values, not its pagentry. Whomsoever she prefers
the tribute will be paid to the merit of the object, not to his rank;
and therefore, earl, should it be you, the greater will be your pledge
of happiness. I shall repeat to her what you have said; and to-morrow
deliver her answer.
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