It was a fearful moment for that woman heart; had she been alone with her child, both nerve and spirit must have given way, but fortunately, perhaps, for the preservation of her fortitude, the Earl of Buchan was still the witness of that scene, triumphing in the sufferings he had caused.

The countess did indeed fold her boy convulsively to her breast, but she did not bend her head on his, as Nature prompted; it was still erect; her mien majestic still, and but a slight quivering in her beautiful lip betrayed emotion.
"Be firm; be thy noble self," she said.

"Forget not thou art a knight and soldier amid the patriots of Scotland.

And now a while, farewell." She extricated herself with some difficulty from his embrace; she paused not to gaze again upon the posture of overwhelming despondency in which he had sunk, but with a step quick and firm advanced to the door.
"Whither goest thou, madam ?" demanded the earl fiercely.

"Bold as thou art, it is well to know thou art a prisoner, accused of high treason against King Edward." "I need not your lordship's voice to give me such information," she answered, proudly.