Arouse thee, my beloved son.

Alas! when I look on thee, on thy bright face, on those graceful limbs, so supple now in health and life, and feel to what my deed may have devoted thee, my child, my child, I need not slanderous tongues to grieve me!" "And doth the Countess of Buchan repent that deed ?" asked the rich sonorous voice of the Bruce, who, unobserved, had heard their converse.
"Would she recall that which she hath done ?" "Sire, not so," she answered; "precious as is my child to this lone heart--inexpressibly dear and precious--yet if the liberty of his country demand me to resign him, the call shall be obeyed." "Speak not thus, noble lady," returned the king, cheerily.

"He is but _lent_, Scotland asks no more; and when heaven smiles on this poor country, smiles in liberty and peace, trust me, such devotedness will not have been in vain.

Our youthful knight will lay many a wreath of laurel at his mother's feet, nor will there then be need to guard her name from scorn.

See what new zest and spirit have irradiated the brows of our warlike guests; we had scarce deemed more needed than was there before, yet the visit of Sir Henry Seymour, bearing as it did a challenge to strife and blood, hath given fresh lightness to every step, new joyousness to every tone.