Every
ear hung on his answer. Wallace saw what was passing in his mind; and
determined to all men to show what was in their hearts toward the earl
and said, "Do not hesitate, my lord; speak all that you know or think
of me. Could the deeds of my life be written on yon blue vault," added
he, pointing to the heavens, "and my breast be laid open for men to
scan. I should be content; for then Scotland would know me as my
Creator knows me; and the evidence which now makes even friendship
doubt, would meet the reception due to calumny."
Lord Lennox felt the last remark, and stung with remorse for having for
a moment credited anything against the frank spirit which gave him this
permission, he replied, "To Lady Strathearn's questions I must answer,
that at Dumbarton I did perceive her preference to Sir William Wallace;
but I never saw anything in him to warrant the idea that it was
reciprocal. And yet, were it even so, that bears nothing to the point
of the countess' accusation; and, notwithstanding her princely rank,
and the deference all would pay to the widow of Lord Mar, as true
Scots, we cannot relinquish to a single witness our faith in a man who
has so eminently served his country.
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