"Yes," cried she, "though thousands of Edward's soldiers surrounded my father and his friend, I should not despair.

Thy life, O noble Wallace, was not give to be extinguished in an hour! Thy morn has hardly risen, the perfect day must come that is to develop thy greatness--that is to prove thee (and oh! gracious God, grant my prayer!) the glory of Scotland!" Owing to the fervor of her apostrophe, she did not observe the door of the cell open, till the prior stood before her.

After expressing his pleasure at the renovation in her countenance, he informed her of the departure of the English soldier, and of the alarm which he and Murray had sustained for his safety, by the adventure which had thrown a stranger from the craigs into their protection.

At the mention of that now momentous spot, she blushed; the golden-haired warrior of her dream seemed ready to rise before her; and with a beating heart she prepared to hear some true but miraculous account of her father's rescue.
Unconscious of what was passing in her young and eager mind, the prior calmly proceeded to relate all that Ker had told of the dangerous extremity to which Wallace was reduced; and then closed his intelligence, by mentioning the attempt which meditated to save him.
The heightened color gradually faded from the face of Helen, and low sighs were her only responses to the observations the good priest made on the difficulty of the enterprise.

But when his pity for the brave man engaged in the cause, betrayed him into expressing his fears that the patriotic zeal of Wallace would only make him and them a sacrifice, Helen looked up; there was inspiration on her lips and in her eyes.
"Father," said she, "hast thou not taught me that God shieldeth the patriot as well as armeth him!" "True!" returned he, with an answering smile; "steadily believe this, and where will be the sighs you have just been breathing!" "Nature will shrink," replied she; "but the Christian's hope checks her ere she falls.