nature, and habited in a suit of velvet, overlaid with Cyprus-work of
gold, blazing with jewels, about her head, and her feet clad in
silver-fretted sandals, Lennox thought she looked more like some
triumphant queen, than a wife who had so lately shared captivity with
an outlawed husband.** Murray started at such unexpected magnificence
in his aunt. But Wallace scarcely observed it was anything unusual,
and bowing to her, presented the Earl of Lennox. She smiled; and
saying a few words of welcome to the earl, gave her hand to Wallace to
lead her back into the chamber.

**This is the style for state dress worn by noble ladies in the
thirteenth century.

Lord Mar had risen from his seat; and leaning on his sword (for his
warlike arm refused any other staff), stood up on their entrance. At
sight of Lord Lennox, he uttered an exclamation of glad surprise.
Lennox embraced him. "I, too, am come to enlist under the banners of
this young Leonidas."

"God armeth the patriot," was all the reply that Mar made, while the
big tears rolled over his cheek, and he shook him by the hand.

"I have four hundred stout Lennox men," continued the earl, "who by
to-morrow's eve shall be ready to follow our leader to the very
borders."

"Not so soon," interrupted the countess; "our deliverer needs repose."

"I thank your benevolence, Lady Mar," returned Wallace; "but the issue
of last night, and the sight of Lord Lennox this day, with the promise