to attract the notice of the enemy, and there I might remain in perfect
safety. Lord Mar may keep his station here until a general victory
sends you, noble Wallace, to restore my child to its father."

Wallace bowed his assent to her proposal; and Edwin, remembering the
earl's injunction, inquired if he might inform him of what was decided.
When he left the room, Lady mar rose, and suddenly putting her son
into the arms of Wallace, rose, and said: "Let his sweet caresses thank
you." Wallace trembled as he pressed its little mouth to his; and,
mistranslating this emotion, she dropped her face upon the infant's,
and in affecting to kiss it, rested her head upon the bosom of the
chief. There was something in this action more than maternal; it
surprised and disconcerted Wallace. "Madam," said he, drawing back,
and relinquishing the child. "I do not require any thanks for serving
the wife and son of Lord Mar."

At that moment the earl entered. Lady mar flattered herself that the
repelling action of Wallace, and his cold answer, had arisen from the
expectation of this entrance; yet blushing with something like
disappointment, she hastily uttered a few agitated words, to inform her
husband that Bute was to be her future sanctuary.

Lord Mar approved it, and declared his determination to accompany her.
"In my state, I can be of little use here," said he; "my family will
require protection, even in that seclusion; and therefore, leaving Lord
Lennox sole governor of Dumbarton, I shall unquestionably attend them
to Rothsay myself."

This arrangement would break in upon the lonely conversations she had
meditated to have with Wallace and therefore the countess objected to