I therefore command to be conducted to him." This peremptory
requisition, with the superior air of the person who made it, did not
leave the abbot room to doubt that he was some illustrious messenger
from the King of England, and with hardly a demur, he left the other
knights in the cloisters of the church while he led the noble Southron
(as he thought) to his kinsman.
The treacherous regent had just retired from the refectory to his own
apartment, as the abbot conducted the stranger into his presence.
Badenoch started frowningly from his seat at such unusual intrusion.
Bruce's visor was closed; and the ecclesiastic, perceiving the regent's
displeasure, dispersed it by announcing the visitant as a messenger
from King Edward. "Then leave us together," returned he, unwilling
that even this, his convenient kinsman, should know the extent of his
treason against his country. The abbot had hardly closed the door,
when Bruce, whose indignant soul burned to utter his full contempt of
the wretch before him, hastily advanced to speak; but the cautious
Badenoch, fearful that the father might yet be within hearing, put his
finger to his lips.
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