I was brought up with her, and to the sweet contagion of her taste do I owe that love of true glory which carries me to the side of Sir William Wallace.

The virtuous only can awaken any interest in her heart; and in these degenerate days long might have been its sleep had not the history which my uncle recounted of your brave master aroused her attention, and filled her with an admiration equal to my own.

I know she rejoices in my present destination.

And to prevent her hearing from your own lips all you have now told me of the mild as well as heroic virtues of my intended commander--all you have said of the heroism of his wife--would be depriving her of a mournful pleasure, only to be appreciated by a heart such as hers." The gray-haired bard of Ellerslie, who had ever received the dearest reward of his songs in the smiles of its mistress, did not require persuasion to appear before the gentle lady of Mar, or to recite in her ears the story of the departed loveliness, fairer than poet ever feigned.
Helen rose as he and her cousin appeared.

Murray approved the execution of her work; and Halbert, with a full heart, took the pennon in his hand.