Father, as I know thou art in blood, there are ties far stronger which bind me to my mother--ties, neglect, forgetfulness, indifference as thine can never know.

Pity, aye, mercy's self, I scorn them, for I need them not." "Ha! sayest thou so; then I swear thou shalt not have them!" exclaimed the earl, rage again obtaining the ascendant.

"I would have saved thee; I would have given thee freedom, though I needed not the condition that I offered.

Thinkest thou I do not know that the traitor Bruce and his followers will return hither, and fall into the net prepared?
thinkest thou I know not he is with thee, aye, that he would not have left his patriot countess thus slightly guarded, an he hoped not to return himself?
He cannot escape me--the murder of Sir John Comyn will be avenged." "He shall, he will escape thee, proud earl," undauntedly returned Alan.
"The savior of his wretched country will not be forced to bow before such as thee; he will be saved out of the net prepared--harassed, chased, encompassed as he is.

I tell thee, Earl of Buchan, he will escape thee yet." "Then, by heaven, thy head shall fall for his!" fiercely replied the earl.