It is said to have been composed of silk
interwoven with gold. The carkanet was a large broad necklace of
precious stones of all colors, set in various shapes, and fastened by
gold links into each other.
De Warenne followed her with his eyes as she moved from him. With an
unconscious sigh, he whispered to De Valence, "What a land is this,
where all the women are fair, and the men all brave!"
"I wish that it, and all its men and women, were in perdition!"
returned De valence, in a fierce tone. Lady Ruthven, entering with the
wives and daughters of the neighboring chieftains, checked the further
expression of his wrath, and his eyes sought amongst them, but in vain,
for Helen.
The chieftains of the Scottish army, with the Lords Buchan and March,
were assembled around the countess at the moment a shout from the
populace without announced the arrival of the regent. His noble figure
was now disencumbered of armor; and with no more sumptuous garb than
the simple plaid of his country, he appeared effulgent in manly beauty
and the glory of his recent deeds. De Valence frowned heavily as he
looked on him, and thanked his fortunate stars that Helen was absent
from sharing the admiration which seemed to animate every breast.
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