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 of so great a support, are such aliments that--we must go forward." "Ay, to be sure," joined Kirkpatrick; "Dumbarton was not taken during our sleep; and if we stay loitering here, the devil that holds Stirling Castle may follow the scent of De Valence; and so I lose my prey!" "What ?" cried the countess, "and is my lord to be left again to his enemies?
Sir William Wallace, I should have thought-" "Everything, madam," rejoined he; "that is demonstrative of my devotion to your venerable lord! But with a brave garrison, I hope you will consider him safe here, until a wider range of security be won, to enable you to retire to Braemar." As the apostrophe to Wallace, in the latter part of the countess' speech, had been addressed to himself in rather a low voice, his reply was made in a similar tone, so that Lord Mar did not hear any part of the answer, except the concluding words.

But then he exclaimed, "Nay, my ever-fearful Joanna, art thou making objections to keeping garrison here ?" "I confess," replied Wallace, "that an armed citadel is not the most pleasant abode for a lady; but at present, excepting perhaps the church, it is the safest; and I would not advise your lady to remove hence, until the plain be made as free as this mountain." The sewer now announced the board in the hall; and the countess leading the way, reluctantly gave her hand to the Earl of Lennox.

Lord Mar leaned on the arm of Wallace, who was followed by Edwin and the other chieftains..