Wallace's hand was upon the hilt of the dagger which the ungrateful De Valence had left in his breast.

"You are wounded! you are slain!" cried Murray in a voice of consternation.

Edwin stood motionless with horror.
"That dagger!" exclaimed Scrymgeour.
"Has done nothing," replied Wallace, "but let a little more blood." As he spoke he drew it out, and thrusting the corner of his scarf into his bosom, staunched the wound.
"So is your mercy rewarded!" exclaimed Kirkpatrick.
"So am I true to a soldier's duty," returned Wallace, "though De Valence is a traitor to his!" "You treated him as a man," replied Kirkpatrick, "but now you find him a treacherous fiend!" "Your eagerness, my brave friend," returned Wallace, "has lost him as a prisoner.

If not for humanity or honor, for policy's sake, we ought to have spared his life, and detained him as an hostage for our countrymen in England." Kirkpatrick remembered how his violence had released the earl, and he looked down abashed.

Wallace, perceiving it, continued, "But let us not abuse our time discoursing on a coward.