Page:Allan the freebooter, or, The witch of Glenross (2).pdf/15

15 answered, "Wallace, the only child of Roderick Strathmore, laird of Glenross." She had scarcely uttered her name, when he started from his seat, and clasping his hands, paced the room in the utmost agony, whilst the amazing Helen gazed at him with emotions of fear and surprise. In a few moments the violence of his grief appeared to soften; “Unfortunate Name!" he exclaimed, "Art thou always, the harbinger of misery to thy possessor; then coming towards her, he took both her hands in his, and continued, “but happily that is not thy real name, tell it me, and if you would avoid the sight of a maniac, never again let me hear the other. What is thy own name?" "Helen," see replied. “Lovely Helen," he returned, "I once received an obligation from thy father, I have often wished to repay it. Oh! night the felicity be mine of forming the future happiness of his daughter."—"Have you long resided here?" she ventured to ask. A cloud overcast his intelligent countenance, as he answered more than twenty years."

The following morning she was awakened by Bridget, who came to summon her to breakfast. Helen felt herself extremely depressed, and entered the breakfast room with an air so languid, and a face so pale, as must have attracted the attention of the Captain, who was waiting for her had not his own agitation been so great, as to prevent his noticing her. The breakfast passed almost in silence; as soon as it was ended the captain placed himself by her side, and taking her hand, said.—“Lovely Helen, know you that your beauty has caused as much admiration, as that of your celebrated namesake? Lovely Helen," he continued sinking on his knees before her, "May the unhappy man at your feet, hope for the love of the high born heiress of Glenross?" And Helen at length avowed that his situation alone prevented her returning his love, adding, "Can the daughter of Roderick Strathmore ally herself to a leader of banditti? "My father was a victim to the cruelty and injustice of the English Monarch. The greatest blot in the character of Edward is, the untimely death of Wallace!" "Wallace," repeated Helen, "Wallace the defender of Scotland,