"
In such a frame of mind did she listen to the relation of Edwin; did
her animated eye welcome the entrance of Badenoch and Loch-awe, and
their enthusiastic encomiums on the lord of her heart. Then sounded
the trumpet; and the herald's voice in the streets proclaimed the
victory of the regent. Lady mar rushed to the window, as if there she
would see himself. Lady Ruthven followed, and as the acclamations of
the people echoed through the air, Helen pressed the precious cross of
Wallace to her bosom and hastily left the room to enjoy the rapture of
her thoughts in the blessed retirement of her own oratory.
In the course of a few days, after the promulgation of all this happy
intelligence, it was announced that the regent was on his return to
Stirling. Lady Mar was not so inebriated with her vain hopes as to
forget that Helen might traverse the dearest of them, should she again
present herself to its object. She therefore hastened to her when the
time of his expected arrival drew near; and putting on all the matron,
affected to give her the counsel of a mother.
As all the noble families around Stirling would assemble to hail the
victor's return, the countess said, she came to advise her, in
consideration of what had passed in the chapel before the regent's
departure, not to submit herself to the observation of so many eyes.
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