"Because," answered the prince, "until now I have never seen the virtuous friend whom you call upon me to betray."
"Then you confess," cried the king, "that he was an instigator to rebellion?"
"I avow," answered Bruce, "that I never knew what true loyalty was till he taught it me; I never knew the nature of real chastity till he explained it to me; nor comprehended what virtue might be till he allowed me to see in himself incorruptible fidelity, bravery undaunted, and a purity of heart not to be contaminated! And this is the man on whom these lords would fasten a charge of treason and adultery! But out of the filthy depths of their own breast arise the streams from which they would blacked his fairness."
"Your vindication," cried the king, "confirms his guilt. You admit that he is not a minstrel in reality. Wherefore, then, did he steal in ambuscade into my palace, but to betray either my honor or my life—perhaps both?"
"His errand here was to see me."
"Rash boy!" cried Edward; "then you acknowledge yourself a premeditated conspirator against me?"
Soulis now whispered in the king's ear, but so low that Bruce did not hear him.
"Penetrate further, my liege; this may be only a false confession to shield the queen's character. She who has once betrayed her duty, finds it easy to reward such handsome advocates."
The scarlet of inextinguishable wrath now burned on the face of Edward. "I will confront them," returned he; "surprise them into betraying each other."
By his immediate orders the queen was brought in. She leaned on the
Countess of Gloucester.