The Scottish chiefs - 1856 Author:Jane Porter Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: hce deemed his stay to be without peril ; and intending to inform him of the necessity which still impelled his own flight, he called to him, but no voice answer... more »ed. He looked down, and seeing him extended on the bottom, without motion, " I fear," said he, " the Earl is dead. As soon as I am gone, and you can collect the dispersed servants, send one into the well to bring liira forth; and if he be indeed no more, deposit his body in my oratory, till you can receive his widow's commands respecting his remains. The iron box, now in the well, is of inestimable value. Take it to Lady Wallace, and tell her, she must guard it, as she has done my life ; but not to look into it, at the peril of what is yet dearer to her—my honour." Halbert promised to adhere to his master's orders; and Wallace girding on his sword, and taking his hunting spear—with which the care of his venerable domestic had provided him—he pressed the faithful hand that presented it; and again enjoining him to be watchful of the tranquility of his lady ; and to be with him in the evening, near the Corie Ian ; he climbed the wall, and was out of sight in an instant. CHAPTER III. ELLERSLIE. Halbert returned to the house ; and entering the room softly, into which Marion had withdrawn, beheld her on her knees before a crucifix : she was praying for the safety of her husband. " May he, O gracious Lord," cried she, " soon return to his home. But if I am to see him here no more, 0 may it please thee to grant me to meet him within thy arms in heaven!" " Hear her, blessed son of Mary !" ejaculated the old man. She looked round, and rising from her knees, demanded of him, in a kind but anxious voice, whether he had left her lard in security. " In the way to it, my lady !" answered Ilalbert. He repeated all tha...« less