Edward's legions are far beyond the borders! but
wherever this earl may be, yet I will reach him. For there is a
guiding hand above, and the demands of the morning at Falkirk are now
to be answered in the halls of Stirling."
Lord Ruthven, followed by Edwin and Murray, entered the room. And the
two nephews were holding each a hand of their dying uncle in theirs,
when Lady Ruthven (who, exhausted with fatigue and anxiety, had retired
an hour before), reappeared at the door of the apartment. She had been
informed of the arrival of the regent and her son, and now hastened to
give them a sorrowful welcome.
"Ah, my lord," cried she, as Wallace pressed her matron cheek to his;
"this is not as your triumphs are wont to be greeted! You are still a
conqueror, and yet death, dreadful death, lies all around us! And our
Helen, too--"
"Shall be restored to you, by the blessed aid of Heaven!" returned he,
"What is yet left for me to do, must be done; and then-" He paused, and
added, "The time is not far distant, then--" He paused, and added "The
time is not far distant, Lady Ruthven, when we shall meet in the realms
to which so many of our bravest and dearest have just hastened.
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