Sir Walter Scott's the Talisman

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ...our arm had been raised to lay knighthood on his shoulder. Had he shown the slightest sign of fear--had but a joint trembled, or an eyelid quivered--I had shattered his head like a crystal goblet. But I cannot strike where there is neither fear nor resistance." There was a pause. "My lord--" said Kenneth. "Ha!" replied Richard, interrupting him, "hast thou found thy speech? Ask grace from Heaven, but none from me, for England is dishonored through thy fault." "I speak not to demand grace of mortal man," said the Scot; " it is in your Grace's pleasure to give or refuse me time for Christian shrift. But whether I die on the instant or half an hour hence, I equally beseech your Grace for one moment's opportunity to speak that to your royal person which highly concerns your fame as a Christian king." "Say on," said the King, making no doubt that he was about to hear some confession concerning the loss of the banner. "What I have to speak," said Sir Kenneth, " touches the royalty of England, and must be said to no ears but thine own.' "Begone with yourselves, sirs," said the King to Neville and De Vaux. The first obeyed, but the latter would not stir from the King's presence. "If you said I was in the right," replied De Vaux to his sovereign, "I will be treated as one should be who hath been found to be right--that is, I will have my own will. I leave you not with this false Scot. I venture not a sick man with a sound one, a naked man with one armed in proof." "It matters not," said the Scottish knight; " I seek no excuse to put off time, I will speak in presence of the Lord of Gilsland. There is treason around you, King of England." "It may well be as thou say'st," replied Richard, " I have a pregnant example." "Treason that will injure thee more...