The majority of the
Scottish nobles envied Wallace his glory, and hated him for that virtue
which drew the eyes of the people to compare him with their selfish
courses. The regent, hoping to become the first in Bruce's favor, was
not less urgent to ruin the man who so deservedly stood the highest in
that prince's esteem. He had therefore entered warmly into the project
of Lady Strathearn. But when, during a select conference between them,
previous to her open charge of Wallace, she named Sir Thomas de
Longueville as one of his foreign emissaries, Cummin observed:
"If you would have your accusation succeed, do not mention that knight
at all. He is my friend. He is now ill near Perth, and must know
nothing of this affair till it be over. Should he live, he will nobly
thank you for your forbearance; should he die, I will repay you as
becomes your nearest kinsman."
All were thus united in one determined effort to hurl Wallace from his
station in the state. But when they believed that done, they quarreled
amongst themselves in deciding who was to fill the great military
office, which his prowess had now rendered a post rather of honor than
of danger.
Pages:
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088