ou hadst been
nearer the mark," retorted the earl, fury rapidly gaining possession of
heart and voice; "but thou art too wise, too politic for that."

"Aye," retorted Nigel, after a fearful struggle with himself, "aye, thou
mayest well add love for Agnes of Buchan, as well as friendship for her
brother. Thinkest thou I would deny it--hide it? little dost thou know
its thrilling, its inspiring power; little canst thou know how I glory
in it, cherish, linger on it still. But wherefore speak thus to thee,
thou man of wickedness and blood. I love thy pure and spotless child,
rejoice that thou didst so desert, so utterly neglect her, that thou
couldst no more leave a shadow on her innocent heart than a cloud upon
her way. I love her, glory in that love, and what is it to thee?"

"What is it to me? that a child of the house of Comyn dare hold commune
with a Bruce; that thou hast dared to love a daughter of my house, aye,
to retain her by thy side a willing mistress, when all others of her sex
forsook thee--what is it to me? Did not to-morrow give thee to a
traitor's doom, thy blood should answer thee; but as it is, villain and
slave, give her to me--where is her hiding-place? speak, or the torture
shall wring it from thee."

"Thinkest thou such threats will in aught avail thee?" calmly replied
Nigel. "Thou knowest not the Bruce. Agnes is no longer a Comyn, no
longer a subject to thy guardianship. The voice of God, the rites at the
altar's foot, have broken every link, save that which binds her to her
husband. She is mine, before God and man is mine--mine own faithful and
lawful wife!"

"Thou liest, false villain!" furiously retorted Buchan. "The church
shall undo these bonds, shall give her back to the father she has thus
insulted. She shall repent, repent with tears of blood, her desertion of
her race. Canst thou protect her in death, thou fool--canst thou still
cherish and save her, thinkest thou, when the hangman hath done his
work?"

"Aye, even then she will be cherished, loved for Nigel's sake, and for
her own; there will be faithful friends around her to protect her from
thee still, tyrant! Thou canst not break the bonds that bind us; thou
hast done no father's part. Forsaken and forgotten, thy children owe
thee no duty, no obedience; thou canst bring forward no plea to
persecute thy child. In life and in death she is mine, mine alone; the
power and authority thou hast spurned so long can no longer be assumed;
the