ABSTRACT
In the collected council the following day, the Earl of March made his treacherous request: and Wallace trusting his vehement oaths of fidelity, (because he thought that the versatile Earl had now discovered his true interest,) granted him, without suspicion, charge of the Lothians. The Lords Athol and Buchan, were not backward in offering their services to the Regent; and the rest of the discontented nobles following the base example, with equal deceit bade him command their lives and fortunes. While asseverations of loyalty filled the walls of the council-hall; and the lauding rejoicings of the people still sounded from without, all spoke of security and confidence to Wallace; and never, perhaps, did he think himself so absolute in the hearts of all Scotland, as at the very moment when three-fourths of its nobility were plotting his destruction.
