As for the iron box, tell him to preserve it as he would his life; and never to give it up, but to myself, my children, or to Sir William Wallace, it's rightful master.'" "Alas!" cried Halbert, "that he had never been its owner! that he had never brought it to Ellerslie, to draw down misery on his head! Ill-omened trust! whatever it contains, its presence carried blood and sorrow in its train.

Wherever it has been deposited war and murder have followed: I trust my dear master will never see it more!" "He may indeed never see it more!" murmured Helen, in a low voice.
"Where are now my proud anticipations of freedom to Scotland?
Alas, Andrew," said she, taking his hand, and weeping over it.

"I have been too presumptuous; my father is a prisoner, and Sir William Wallace is lost!" "Cease, my dear Helen," cried he, "cease to distress yourself! These are merely the vicissitudes of the great contention we are engaged in.
We must expect occasional disappointments, or look for miracles every day.

Such disasters are sent as lessons to teach us precaution, proptitude and patience--these are the soldier's graces, my sweet cousin, and depend on it, I will pay them due obedience." "But why," asked Helen, taking comfort from the unsubdued spirits of her cousin, "why, my good soldier, did not my dear father take advantage of this sanctuary ?" "I urged the earl to accompany me," returned Grimsby; "but he said such a proceeding would leave his wife and babes in unprotected captivity.
'No,' added he, 'I will await my fate; for the God of those who trust in him knows that I do not fear!' "Having received such peremptory orders from the earl, I took my leave; and entering the chapel by the way he directed, was agreeably surprised to find the worthy Halbert, whom, never having seen since the funeral obsequies, I supposed had fallen during the carnage in the state-chamber.

He was still kneeling by the tomb of his buried mistress.