"When I summoned them to the
council-hall," continued Lord Ruthven, "and told them you had not only
defeated Edward on the Carron, but in so doing had gained a double
victory, over a foreign usurper and domestic traitors!-instead of the
usual open-hearted gratulations on such a communication, a low whisper
murmured through the hall; and the young Badenoch, unworthy of his
patriotic father, rising from his seat, gave utterance to so many
invectives against you, our country's soul, and arm! I should deem it
treason even to repeat them. Suffice it to say, that out of five
hundred chiefs and chieftains who were present, not one of those
parasites who used to fawn on you a week ago, and make the love of
honest men seem doubtful, now breathes one word for Sir William
Wallace. But this ingratitude, vile as it is, I bore with patience
till Badenoch, growing in insolency, declared that late last night
dispatches had arrived from the King of France to the regent, and that
he (in right of his birth, assuming to himself that dignity) had put
their bearer, Sir Alexander Ramsay, under confinement, for having
persisted to dispute his authority to withhold them from you.
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