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.

OLD MORTALITY. 447
"It is for that very reason, sir," returned Henry, firmly, " that I desire
to know what right he has to detain me without a legal warrant. Were he
a civil officeer of the law, I should know my duty was submission."
"Your friend, here," said Claverhouse to the veteran, coolly, "is one of
those scrupulous gentlemen, who, like the madman in the play, will not tie
his cravat without the warrant of Mr. Justice Overdo; but I will let him
see, before we part, that my shoulder-knot is as legal a badge of authority
as the mace of the Justiciary. - So, waiving this discussion, you will be
pleased, young man, to tell me directly when you saw Balfour of -Burley."
"As I know no right you have to ask such a question," replied Morton,
"I decline replying to it."
"You confessed to my sergeant," said Claverhouse, "that you saw and
entertained him, knowing him to be an intercommuned traitor: why are
you not so frank with me?"
"Because," replied the prisoner, "I presume you are, from education,
taught to understand the rights upon which you seem disposed to trample;
and I am willing you should be aware there are yet Scotsmen who can
assert the liberties of Scotland."
" And these supposed rights you would vindicate with your sword, I presume?" said Colonel Grahame.
"Were I armed as you are, and we were alone upon a hill-side, you
should not ask me the question twice."
"It is quite enough," answered Claverhouse, calmly;-" your language
corresponds with all I have heard of you; —but you are the son of a soldier,
though a rebellious one, and you shall not die the death of a dog; I will
save you that indignity."
"Die in what manner I may," replied Morton, "I will die like the son
of a brave man; and the ignominy you mention shall remain with those
who shed innocent blood."
" Make your peace, then, with Heaven, in five minutes' space. —Bothwell,
lead him down to the court-yard, and draw up your party."
The appalling nature of this conversation, and of its result, struck the
silence of horror into all but the speakers. But now those who stood around
broke forth into clamour and expostulation. Old Lady Margaret. who, with
all the prejudices of rank and party, had not laid aside the feelings of her
sex, was loud in her intercession.
" O, Colonel Grahame," she exclaimed, "spare his young blood! Leave
him to the law-do not repay my hospitality by shedding men's blood on
the threshold of my doors 1"
" Colonel Grahame," said Major Bellenden, "you must answer this violence. Don't think, though I am old and feckless, that my friend's son
shall be murdered before my eyes with impunity. I can find friends that
shall make you answer it."
"Be satisfied, Major Bellenden, I wvill answer it," replied Claverhouse,
totally unmoved. "And you, madam, might spare me the pain of resisting this passionate intercession for a traitor, when you consider the noble
blood your own house has lost by such as he is."
" Colonel Grahame," answered the lady, her aged frame trembling with
anxiety, "I leave vengeance to God, who calls it his own. The shedding
of this young man's blood will not call back the lives that were dear to me;
and how can it comfort me to think that there has maybe been another
widowed mother made childless. like mysell, by a deed done at my very
door-stane!"
"This is stark madness," said Claverhouse —"I must do my duty to
church and state. Here are a thousand villains hard by in open rebellion,
and you ask me to pardon a young fanatic who is enough of himself to set
a whole kingdom in a blaze! It cannot be-Remove him, Bothwell."
She who was most interested in this dreadful decision, hadl twice strove