In thee I love
virtue; and the imperishable sentiment will bless me in the world to
come." With these thoughts she had fallen asleep; she dreamed that she
called on her father, on Wallace to save her, and on opening her eyes,
she had found him indeed near.
Every word which this almost adored friend now said to comfort her with
regard to her own immediate losses, to assure her of the peace of
Scotland, should Heaven bless the return of Bruce, took root in her
soul, and sprung up into resignation and happiness. She listened to
the plans of Wallace and of Bruce to effect their great enterprise, and
the hours of the night passed to her not only in repose, but in
enjoyment. Wallace, though pleased with the interest she took in even
the minutest details of their design, became fearful of overtasking her
weakened frame; he whispered Bruce to gradually drop the conversation;
and, as it died away, slumber again stole over her eyelids.
The dawn had spread far over the sky while she yet slept. Wallace sat
contemplating her, and the now sleeping Bruce, who had also
imperceptibly sunk to rest. Various and anxious were his meditations.
He had hardly seen seven-and-twenty years, yet so had he been tried in
the vicissitudes of life, that he felt as if he had lived a century;
and instead of looking on the lovely Helen as on one whose charms might
claim a lover's lovely Helen as on one whose charms might claim a
lover's wishes in his breast, he regarded her with sentiments more like
parental tenderness.
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