"
"My name," declared the knight, "will indeed put these protestations to
the proof. I have fought by your side, Sir William Wallace; I would
have died at any moment to have spared that breast a wound, and yet I
dread to raise my visor to show you who I am. A look will make me live
or blast me."
"Your language confounds me, noble knight," replied Wallace. "I know
of no man living, save the base violators of Lady Helen Mar's liberty,
who need tremble before my eyes. It is not possible that either of
these men is before me; and whoever you are, whatever you may have
been, brave chief, your deeds have proved you worthy of a soldier's
friendship, and I pledge you mine."
The knight was silent. He took Wallace's hand--he grasped it; the arms
that held it did indeed tremble. Wallace again spoke.
"What is the meaning of this? I have a power to benefit, but none to
injure."
"To benefit and to injure!" cried the knight, in a transport of
emotion; "you have my life in your hands. Oh! grant it, as you value
your own happiness and honor! Look on me and say whether I am to live
or die."
As the warrior spoke, he cast himself impetuously on his knees, and
threw open his visor.
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