"Indeed!" said the king, satisfied that no incendiary would dare thus to proclaim himself. "And how durst you, being of that outlawed nation, venture into my court? Feared you not to fall a sacrifice to my indignation against the mad leader of your rebellious countrymen?"
"I fear nothing on earth," replied Wallace. "This garb is privileged, none who respect that sacred law dare commit violence on a minstrel, and against them who regard no law but that of their own wills, I have this weapon to defend me." As Wallace spoke he pointed to a dirk stuck in his girdle.
"You are a bold man, and an honest man, I believe," replied the king; "and as my queen desires it, I order your enrollment in my traveling train of musicians. You may leave the presence."
"Then follow me to my apartment," cried the queen; "countess, you will accompany me, to see me take my first lesson."
A page took up the harp; and Wallace, bowing his head to the king, was conducted by Gloucester to the anteroom of the queen's apartments. The earl there told him, that when dismissed by the queen, a page he would leave would show him the way back to Lord Carrick.
The royal Margaret herself opened the door, so eager was she to admit her teacher; and placing herself at the harp, she attempted a passage of "The Triumph," which had particularly struck her, but she played wrong. Wallace was asked to set her right; he obeyed. She was quick—he clear in his explanations; and in less than half an hour he made her execute the whole movement in a manner that delighted her.
"Why, minstrel," cried she, looking up in his face, "either your harp is enchanted, or you are a magician. I have studied three long years to play the lute, and could never bring forth any tone that did not make me ready to stop my own ears. And now, countess," cried she, again touching a few chords, "did you ever hear anything so enchanting?"
"I suppose," returned the countess, "all your former instructors have been novices, and this Scot alone knows the art to which they pretended."
"Do you hear what the countess says?" exclaimed the queen, affecting to whisper to him; "she will not allow of any spiritual agency in my wonderfully-awakened talent. If you can contradict her, do; for I want very much to believe in fairies, magicians, and all the enchanting world!"
Wallace, with a respectful smile, answered, "I know of now spirit that has interposed in your majesty's favor but that of your own genius; and it is more efficient than the agency of all fairy-land."