You now know my sentiments,
prince; and for the advantage of both kings, I confide them to your
services."
Wallace rose.
"Whether I am prince or vassal," replied he, "my services shall ever be
given in the cause of justice; and of that, Earl de Valence, you will
be convinced when next you hear of me. My friend," cried he, turning
to Bruce, "you will remain with our host; I go to perform the vigils of
my vow."
Bruce understood him. It was not merely with their host he was to
remain, but to detain De Valence, and, opening at once the versatile
powers of his abundant mind, his vivacity charmed the earl, while the
magnificence of his views in policy corroborated to De Valence the idea
that he was conversing with one whose birth had placed him beyond even
the temptations of those ambitions which were at that moment subjecting
his auditor's soul to every species of flattery, meanness, and, in
fact, disloyalty. Bruce, in his turn, listened with much apparent
interest to all De Valence's dreams of aggrandizement, and recollecting
his reputation for a love of wine, he replenished the earl's goblet so
often, that the fumes made him forget all reserve; and after pouring
forth the whole history of his attachments to Helen, and his resolution
to subdue her abhorrence by love and grandeur, he gradually lowered his
key, and at last fell fast asleep.
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