"But," added he, with a smile, "we
need not disturb ourselves with such thoughts--the regent is in our
prince's confidence; and did this accusation relate to him, he would
not, on such a plea, have arraigned me as a traitor."
Edwin again revolved in his mind the nature of the charge and who the
villain could be who had made it; and, at last suddenly recollecting
the Knight of the Green Plume, he asked if it were not possible that
he, a stranger who had so sedulously kept himself from being known,
might be the traitor?
"I must confess to you," continued Edwin, "that this knight, who ever
appeared to dislike your closest friends, seems to me the most probable
instigator of this mischief; and is, perhaps, the author of the strange
failure of communication between you and Bruce! Accounts have not
arrived, ever since Bothwell went; and that is more than natural.
Though brave in his deeds, this unknown way prove only the more subtle
spy and agent of our enemies."
Wallace changed color at these suggestions, but merely replied:
"A few hours will decide your suspicion, for I shall lose no time in
confronting my accuser."
"I go with you," said Edwin; "never while I live, will I consent to
lose sight of you again!"
It was at this moment that the tumultuous approach of the Lanark
veterans was heard from without.
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