If I would guarantee his life, he offered to take me from the place
where I was then confined, and convey me safe to Stirling. All else
that he asked was, that I would allow him to be the bearer of the
casket which contained Sir William Wallace's letters, and suffer my
eyes to be blindfolded during the first part of our journey. This I
consented to; but the murderous list I had undesignedly put into my
bosom. My bead was again wrapped in a thick veil, and we set out. It
was very dark; and we traveled long and swiftly till we came to a wood.
There was neither moon nor stars to point out any habitation. But
being overcome with fatigue, my conductor persuaded me to dismount and
take rest. I slept beneath the trees. In the morning, when I awoke, I
in vain looked round for the knight and called him; he was gone; and I
saw him no more. I then explored my way to Stirling, to warn my
country of its danger--to unmask to the world the direst hypocrite that
ever prostituted the name of virtue."
The countess ceased; and a hundred voices broke out at once, pouring
invectives on the traitorous ambition of Sir William Wallace, and
invoking the regent to pass some signal condemnation on so monstrous a
crime.
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