Grant me this boon, my liege, and perchance this heavy weight upon my spirit will pass and leave me free." "Nay, 'tis such a strange and unknightly promise, lady, how may I pledge my word to its fulfilment ?" answered Robert, gravely and sadly.

"You bid me pledge mine honor to a deed that will stain my name with an everlasting infamy, that even the liberty of Scotland will not wash away.

How may I do this thing?
You press me sorely, lady.

Even for thee, good and faithful as thou art, how may I hurt my knightly fame ?" "Sire, thou wilt not," she returned, still more entreatingly; "thy brilliant fame, thy noble name, will never--can never, receive a stain.
I do but ask a promise whose fulfilment may never be demanded.

I do but bid thee remember thou art not only a knight, a noble, a king, but one by whom the preservation, the independence of our country can alone be achieved--one on whose safety and freedom depends the welfare of a nation, the unchained glory of her sons.