Wallace received him with kindness, and told him to bear his grateful respects to his lady for her care of her charge.

Lord Ruthven with others soon entered; and at the appointed hour they attended their chief to the citadel.
The council-hall was already filled with the lords who had brought their clans to the Scottish standard.

On the entrance of Wallace they rose; and Mar coming forward, followed by the heralds and other officers of ceremony, saluted him with the due forms of regent, and led him to the throne.

Wallace ascended; but it was only to take thence a packet which had been deposited for him on its cushion, and coming down again, he laid the parchment on the council-table.
"I can do all things best," said he, "when I am upon a level with my friends." He then broke the seal of the packet.

It was from the Prince of Wales, agreeing to Wallace's proposed exchange of prisoners, but denouncing him as the instigator of the rebellion, and threatening him with a future judgment from his incensed king for the mischief he had wrought in the realm of Scotland.