The stature of the youthful Scotsman appeared towering, as he stood over him with his uplifted sword, refusing to strike a defenceless man, but holding him with a gripe of iron; his cheek flushed crimson, his nostrils distended, for his soul was moved with a mightier, darker passion than had ever stirred its depths before.

The soldiers of both parties, joined, too, by some from the castle--for a party headed by the Earl of Berwick himself had attended to give countenance to the proclamation--rushed forward, but involuntarily fell back, awed for the moment by the mighty spirit of one man; the knights, roused from their sullen posture, looked much as if they would, if they dared, have left the herald to his fate.

Hereford and Berwick at the same instant spurred forward their steeds, the one exclaiming, "Madman, let go your hold--you are tempting your own fate! Nigel, for the love of heaven! for the sake of those that love you, be not so rash!" the other thundering forth, "Cut down the traitor, an he will not loose his hold.

Forward, cowardly knaves! will ye hear your king insulted, and not revenge it ?--forward, I say! fear ye a single man ?" And numbers, spurred on by his words, dashed forward to obey him, but fearlessly Sir Nigel Bruce retained his hold with his left hand, and with his right grasped tighter his sword, and stood, with the fierce undaunted port of a lion lashed into fury, gazing on his foes; but ere he had crossed with the foremost weapons, a slight lad burst through the gathering crowd, and with a piercing shriek threw himself at his master's feet, and grasping his knees, seemed by his pleading looks, for his words were inaudible, imploring him to desist from his rashness.

At the same moment another form pressed through the soldiers, her look, her mien compelling them involuntarily to open their ranks and give her passage.