the blessed King her lord would have bidden her let
the ring be broken up at once, lest it should be used so as to harm her
son.'

That Esclairmonde had prevailed by that gentle force of character which
no one could easily resist, could not, however, be doubted for a moment;
and a fresh thrill of amazement, and almost of joy, came over Malcolm at
the sense that he had become the protector of such a being, and that in a
sort she belonged to him, and was in his power, having trusted herself to
him.

Robsart advised, and Esclairmonde concurred in the counsel, that Lord
Glenuskie should set forth for Vincennes immediately, before there should
be time for any more cabals, or for Queen Isabeau to have made her
daughter repent of having delivered up the signet-ring.

Malcolm therefore at once took leave of his affianced, venturing to kiss
her hand as he looked wistfully in her face, and said, 'Dear lady, how
shall I thank you for this trust?'

Esclairmonde gave her sweet grave smile, as she said, 'To God's keeping I
commend you, Sir.' She would not even bid him be true to his trust; it
would have seemed to her to insult him in whom her confidence was placed,
and she only added: 'I shall ever bless you for having saved me.
Farewell! Now am I bound for ever to pray for you and your sister.'

And it would be impossible to tell how the sense of Esclairmonde's trust,
and of the resolute self-denial it would require of him, elevated
Malcolm's whole tone, and braced his mind. The taking away of his
original high purpose had rendered him as aimless and pleasure-loving as
any ordinary lad; but the situation in which he now stood--guarding this
saintly being for her chosen destiny, at the expense of all possible
earthly projects for his own happiness or ambition--was such as to bring
out that higher side of his nature that had well-nigh collapsed. As he
stood alone in the ante-room, waiting until his horse and escort should
be ready for his return, a flood of happiness seemed to gush over him.
Esclairmonde was no more his own, indeed, than was King Henry's signet;
but the trust was very precious, and gave him at least the power of
thinking of her as joined by a closer link than even his sister Lilias.
And towards her his conscience was again clear, for this very betrothal
put marriage out of the question for him, and was a real seal of his
dedication. He only felt as if his heart ought not to be so light and
peaceful, while h