CHAPTER XXIV.
The Great Tower.
When Wallace withdrew, Lady Mar, who had detained Murray, whispered to him, while a blush stained her cheek, that she should like to be present at the planting of the standard.

Lord Mar declared his willingness to accompany her to the spot, and added, "I can be supported thither by the arm of Andrew." Murray hesitated.

"It will be impossible for my aunt to go; the hall below, and the ground before the tower, are covered with slain." "Let them be cleared away!" cried she; "for I cannot consent to be deprived of a spectacle so honorable to my country." Murray regarded the pitiless indifference with which she gave this order with amazement.

"To do that, madam," said he, "is beyond my power; the whole ceremony of the colors would be completed long before I could clear the earth of half its bleeding load.

I will seek a passage for you by some other way." Before the earl could make a remark, Murray had disappeared; and after exploring the lower part of the tower in unavailing search for a way, he met Sir Roger Kirkpatrick issuing from a small door, which, being in shadow, he had hitherto overlooked.