May that holy
Being, who is the true and best King of the virtuous, always be present
with you! I feel your love, and I appreciate it. But Bothwell,
Ruthven, Lockhart, Scrymgeour, my faithful Lanark followers, leave me
awhile to compose my scattered thoughts. Let me pass this night alone,
and to-morrow you shall know the resolution of your grateful Wallace!"
The shades of evening were closing in, and the men of Lanark, first
obtaining his permission to keep guard before the wood which skirted
the tent, respectfully kissing his hand, withdrew. Ruthven called
Edwin from the recess, whither he had retired to unburden his grief:
but as soon as he heard that it was the resolution of his friends to
preserve the authority of Wallace or to perish in the contest, the
gloom passed from his fair brow, a smile of triumph parted his lips,
and he exclaimed:
"All will be well again. We shall force this deluded nation to
recognize her safety and her honor!"
While the determined chiefs held discourse so congenial with the wishes
of the youthful knight, Wallace sat almost silent. He seemed revolving
some momentous idea: he frequently turned his eyes on the speakers with
a fixed regard, which appeared rather full of a grave sorrow than
demonstrative of any sympathy on the subjects of their discussion.
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