She wakes in heaven for me whose body sleeps there;
and knowing where to find the jewel, my friend, shall I linger over the
vacated casket?"
While he yet spoke, a chieftain on horseback suddenly emerged from the
trees which led to the castle, and drew to their side. Edwin was
wrapped in his plaid, and, cautiously concealing his face that no
chance of his recognition might betray his companion, he walked briskly
on, without once looking at the stranger. But Wallace, being without
any shade over the noble contour of a form which for majesty and grace
was unequaled in Scotland, could not be mistaken. He, too, moved
swiftly forward. The horseman spurred after him. Perceiving himself
pursued, and therefore known, and aware that he must be overtaken, he
suddenly stopped. Edwin drew his sword, and would have given it into
the hand of his friend; but Wallace, putting it back, rapidly answered:
"Leave my defense to this unweaponed arm. I would not use steel
against my countrymen, but none shall take me while I have a sinew to
resist."
The chieftain now checked his horse in front of Wallace, and
respectfully raising his visor, discovered Sir John Monteith.
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