"Give me power, Almighty Judge!" cried he, "to assert thy justice! Let me avenge this angel's blood, and then take me to thy mercy!" "My gracious master," cried Halbert, seeing him rise with a stern composure, "here is the fatal sword; the blood on it is sacred, and I brought it to you." Wallace took it in his hand.

He gazed at it, touched it, and kissed it frantically.

The blade was scarcely yet dry, and the ensanguined hue came off upon the pressure.

"Marion! Marion!" cried he, "is it thine?
Does not thy blood stain my lip ?" He paused for a moment, leaning his burning forehead against the fatal blade; then looking up with a terrific smile.

"Beloved of my soul! never shall this sword leave my hand till it has drunk the life-blood of thy murderer." "What is it you intend, my lord ?" cried Halbert, viewing with increased alarm the resolute ferocity which now, blazing from every part of his countenance, seemed to dilate his figure with more than mortal daring.
"What can you do?
Your single arm-" "I am not single-God is with me.