She saw the shadow of royalty behind it; and summoning artifice, to conceal the joy of her heart, she calmly said, "Do not too severely condemn this weakness; it is not that of vain wishes for your aggrandizement.

You are the same to Joanna Mar whether as a monarch or a private man, so long as you possess that supremacy in all, excellence which first gained her esteem.

It is for Scotland's sake alone that I wish you to be her king.

You have taught me to forget all selfish desires--to respect myself," cried she; "and, from this hour I conjure you to wipe from your memory all my folly--all my love-" With the last word her bosom heaved tumultuously, and she rose in agitation.

Wallace now gazed on her with redoubled wonder.