The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

828 - WAVERLEY NOVELS.
"With all my heart," said Mareschal; "the more mischief thle better
sport."
Sir Frederick looked grave and disconcerted.
"Walk aside with me, my good friend," said Ellieslaw to the sombre
baronet; "I have something for your private ear, with which I know you
will be gratified."
They walked into the house, leaving Rateliffe and Maresehal standing
together in the court.
"And so," said Ratcliffe, "the gentlemen of your political persuasion
think the downfall of this government so certain, that they disdain even to
throw a decent disguise over the machinations of their party?"
"Faith, Mr. liatcliffe," answered Mareschal, "the actions and sentiments
of your friends may require to be veiled, but I am better pleased that ours
can go barefaced."
" And is it possible," continued Ratcliffe, " that you, who, notwithstanding your thoughtlessness and heat of temper (I beg pardon, Mr. Mareschal,
I am a plain man) — that you, who, notwithstanding these constitutional
defects, possess natural good sense and acquired information, should be
infatuated enough to embroil yourself in such desperate proceedings?
How does your head feel when you are engaged in these dangerous conferences?"
"Not quite so secure on my shoulders," answered Mareschal, "as if I
were talking of hunting and hawking. I am not of so indifferent a mould
as my cousin Ellieslaw, who speaks treason as if it were a child's nursery
rhymes, and loses and recovers that sweet girl, his daughter, with a good
deal less emotion on both occasions, than would have affected me had I lost
and recovered a greyhound puppy. My temper is not quite so inflexible,
nor nmy hate against government so inveterate, as to blind me to the full
danger of the attempt."
" Then why involve yourself in it?" said Ratcliffe.
" Why, I love this poor exiled king with all my heart; and my father was
an old Killiecrankie-man, and I long to see some amends on the Unionist
courtiers, that have bought and sold old Scotland, whose crown has been so
long independent."
"And for the sake of these shadows," said his monitor, "you are going
to involve your country in war, and yourself in trouble?"
"I involve? No! —but, trouble for trouble, I had rather it came
to-morrow than a month hence. Come, I know, it will; and, as your
country folks say, better soon than syne-it will never find me youngerand as for hanging, as Sir John Falstaff says, I can become a gallows as
well as another. You know the end of the old ballad;
Sae dauntonly, sae wantonly,
Sae rantingly gaed he,
He played a spring, and danced a round,
Beneath the gallows tree."
" Mr. Mareschal, I am sorry for you," said his grave adviser.
"I am obliged to you, Mr. Ratcliffe; but I would not have you judge of
our enterprise by my way of vindicatting it; there are wiser heads than mine
at the work."
"Wiser heads than yours may lie as low," said Rateliffe, in a warning
tone.
" Perhaps so; but no lighter heart shall; and, to prevent it being made
heavier by your remonstrances, I will bid you adieu, Mr. Ratcliffe, till
dinner-time, when you shall see that my apprehensions have not spoiled my
appetite."