While Edwin was conducted to the apartments of Lady Helen, Wallace took
these letters to his prince. On Bruce being informed of the
circumstances in which his country lay, and of the wishes of its most
virtuous chiefs for his accession to the crown, he assented to the
prudence of their advice with regard to Wallace. "But," added he, "our
fortunes must be in every respect, as far as we can mold them, the
same. While you are to serve Scotland under a cloud, so will I. At
the moment Bruce is proclaimed King of Scotland, Wallace shall be
declared its bravest friend. We will go together--as brothers, if you
will!" continued he. "I am already considered by the French nobility
as Thomas de Longueville; you may personate the Red Reaver; Scotland
does not yet know that he was slain; and the reputation of his valor
and a certain nobleness in his wild warfare having placed him, in the
estimation of our shores, rather in the light of one of their own
island sea-kings than in that of his real character--a gallant, though
fierce pirate--the aid of his name would bring no evil odor to our
joint appearance. But were you to wear the title you bear here, a
quarrel might ensue between Philip and Edward, which I perceive the
former is not willing should occur openly.
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