The man brought the horses from the stable. He knew that two strangers had arrived at the castle, and not noticing Helen's stature, supposed they were both before him. He had been informed by the servants, that the taller of the two was the Count de Valois, and he now held the stirrup for him to mount; But Wallace placed Helen on Bruce's horse, and then vaulting on his own, put a piece of gold into the attendant's hand.
"You will return, noble prince?" inquired the man.
"Why should you doubt it?" answered Wallace.
"Because," replied the servant, "I wish the brother of the King of
France to know the foul deeds which are doing in his dominions."
"By whom?" asked Wallace, surprised at this address.
"By the Earl de Valence, prince," answered he; "he has now in this castle a beautiful lady, whom he brought from a foreign land, and treats in a manner unbecoming a knight or a man."
"And what would you have me do?" said Wallace, willing to judge whether this applicant were honest in his appeal.
"Come in the power of your royal brother," answered he, "and demand the
Lady Helen Mar of Lord de Valence."
Helen, who had listened with trepidation to this dialogue, drew nearer
Wallace, and whispered in an agitated voice, "Ah! let us hasten away."
The man was close enough to hear her.