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.

THE BILACIC DWARF. 335
"So soon? —impossible," answered Vere; "think of her late alarm-of
our present undertaking."
"I will listen to nothing but to her consent, plighted at the altar. You
have a chapel in the castle -Doctor Hobbler is present among the company-this proof of your good faith to-night, and we are again joined in
heart and hand. If you refuse me when it is so much for your advantage
to consent, how shall I trust you to-morrow, when I shall stand committed
in your undertaking, and unable to retract?"
" And am I to understand, that, if you can be made my. son-in-law tonight, our friendship is renewed?" said Ellieslaw.
" Most infallibly, and most inviolably," replied Sir Frederick.
"Then," said Vere, "though what you ask is premature, indelicate, and
unjust towards my character yet, Sir Frederick, give me your hand-my
daughter shall be your wife."
" This night?"
" This very night," replied Ellieslaw, "before the clock strikes twelve."
"With her own consent, I trust," said Mareschal; " for I promise you
both, gentlemen, I will not stand tamely by, and see any violence put on
thelwill of my pretty kinswoman."
" Another pest in this hot-headed fellow," muttered Ellieslaw; and then.aloud, " With her own consent? For what do you take me, Mareschal, that
you should suppose your interference necessary to protect my daughter
against her father? Depend upon it, she has no repugnance to Sir Frederick
Langley."
"Or rather to be called Lady Langley? faith, like enough —there are
many women might be of her mind; and I beg your pardon, but these
sudden demands and concessions alarmed me a little on her account."
" It is only the suddenness of the proposal that embarrasses me," said
Ellieslaw; "but perhaps if she is found intractable, Sir Frederick will
consider -"
" I will consider nothing, Mr. Vere-your daughter's hand to-night, or I
depart, were it at midnight —there is my ultimatnm."
"I embrace it," said Ellieslaw, " and I will leave you to talk upon our
military preparations, while I go to prepare my daughter for so sudden a
change of condition."
So saying, he left the company.
He brings Earl Osmond to receive my vows.
0 dreadful change! for Tancred, haughty Osmond.
TANCRED AND SIGCISMUNDA.
MIR. EnE, whom long practice of dissimulation had enabled to model his
very gait and footsteps to aid the purposes of deception, walked along the
stone passage, and up the first flight of steps towards Miss Vere's apartment, with the alert, firm, and steady pace of one, who is bound, indeed,
upon important business, but who entertains no doubt he can terminate his
affairs satisfactorily. But when out of hearing of the gentleman whom he
had left, his step became so slow and irresolute, as to correspond with his
doubts and his fears. At length he paused in an antechamber to collect his
ideas, and form his plan of argument, before approaching his daughter.