"Malcolm Graheme," the count said, "it may be that we shall not
meet again. The emperor is not tender with obstinate prisoners, and
I have no strength to support long hardships. Should aught happen
to me I beseech you to watch over the happiness of my child. Had
she been a year older, and had you been willing, I would now have
solemnly betrothed her to you, and should then have felt secure of
her future whatever may befall me. Methinks she will make a good
wife, and though my estates may be forfeited by the emperor her
mother's lands will make a dowry such as many a German noble would
gladly accept with his wife.
"I might betroth her to you now, for many girls are betrothed at
a far younger age, but I would rather leave it as it is. You are
young yet, and she in most matters is but a child, and it would
be better in every way did she start on this adventure with you
regarding you as a brother than in any other light. Only remember
that if we should not meet again, and you in future years should
seek the woman who is now a child as your wife, you have my fullest
approval and consent -- nay, more, that it is my dearest wish."
"I thank you most deeply for what you have said, count," Malcolm
replied gravely. "As I have seen your daughter growing up from a
child I have thought how sweet a wife she would make, but I have
put the thought from me, seeing that she is heiress to broad lands
and I a Scottish soldier of fortune, whose lands, though wide
enough for me to live in comfort at home, are yet but a mere farm
in comparison with your broad estates.
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