He followed the
passage for a considerable time, and at last was stopped by a door. It
yielded to his hand, and he found himself at the entrance of a large
building. He advanced, and passing a high screen of carved oak, by a
dim light, which gleamed from waxen tapers on the altar, he perceived
it to be the chapel.
"A happy transition," said he to himself, "from the jubilant scene I
have now left; from the grievous scenes I have lately shared! Here,
gracious God," thought he, "may I, unseen by any other eye, pour out my
heart to thee. And here, before thy footstool, will I declare
thanksgiving for thy mercies; and with my tears wash from my soul the
blood I have been compelled to shed!"
While advancing toward the altar, he was startled by a voice proceeding
from the quarter whither he was going, and with low and gently-breathed
fervor, uttering these words: "Defend him, Heavenly Father! Defend him
day and night, from the devices of this wicked man; and, above all,
during these hours of revelry and confidence, guard his unshielded
breast from treachery and death." The voice faltered, and added with
greater agitation, "Ah, unhappy me, that I should pluck peril on the
head of William Wallace!" A figure, which had been hidden by the rails
of the altar, with these words rose, and stretching forth her clasped
hands, exclaimed, "But Thou, who knowest I had no blame in this, wilt
not afflict me by his danger! Thou wilt deliver him, O God, out of the
hand of this cruel foe!"
Wallace was not more astonished at hearing that some one in whom he
trusted, was his secret enemy, than at seeing Lady Helen in that place
at that hour, and addressing Heaven for him.
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