Lord Mar was become tired with so gala a scene, and, taking the arm of Wallace, they returned together into the house.
Edwin soon followed with Murray, gladly arriving in time enough to see their little pinnacle draw up under the castle and throw out her moorings.

The countess, too, descried its streamers, and hastening into the room where she knew the chiefs were yet assembled, though the wearied earl had retired to repose, inquired the reason of that boat having drawn so near the castle.
"That it may take us from it, fair aunt," replied Murray.
The countess fixed her eyes with an unequivocal expression upon Wallace.

"My gratitude is ever due to your kindness, noble lady," said he, still wishing to be blind to what he could not perceive, "and that we may ever deserve it, we must keep the enemy from your doors." "Yes," added Murray, "and to keep a more insidious foe from our own! Edwin and I feel it rather dangerous to bask too long in these sunny bowers." "But surely your chief is not afraid," said she, casting a soft glance at Wallace.
"Yet, nevertheless, I must fly," returned he, bowing to her.
"That you positively shall not," added she, with a fluttering joy at her heart, thinking she was about to succeed; "you stir not this night, else I shall brand you all as a band of cowards." "Call us by every name in the poltroon's calendar," cried Murray, seeing by the countenance of Wallace that his resolution was not to be moved; "yet I must gallop off from your black-eyed Judith, as if chased by the ghost of Holofernes himself." "So, dear aunt," rejoined Edwin, smiling, "if you do not mean to play Circe to our Ulysses, give us leave to go!" Lady Mar started, confused she knew not how, as he innocently uttered these words.

The animated boy snatched a kiss from her hand, when he ceased speaking, and darted after Murray, who had disappeared, to give some speeding directions respecting the boat.
Left thus alone with the object of her every wish, in the moment when she thought she was going to lose him, perhaps, forever, she forgot all prudence, all reserve; and laying her hand on her arm, as with a respectful bow he was also moving away, she arrested his steps.

She held him fast, but her agitation prevented her speaking; she trembled violently, and weeping, dropped her head upon his shoulder.