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.

448 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
to speak, but her voice had totally failed her-her mind refused to suggest
words, and her tongue to utter them. She now sprung up, and attempted
to rush forward, but her strength gave way, and she would have fallen flat
upon the pavement had she not been caught by her attendant.
"Help!" cried Jenny-" Help, for God's sake! my young lady is dying."
At this exclamation, Evandale, who, during the preceding part of the
scene, had stood motionless, leaning upon his sword, now stepped forward,
and said to his commanding-officer, " Colonel Grahame, before proceeding
in this matter, will you speak a word with me in private?"
Claverhouse looked surprised, but instantly rose and withdrew with the
young nobleman into a recess, where the following brief dialogue passed
between them: —
"I think I need not remind you, Colonel, that when our family interest
was of service to you last year in that affair in the privy-council, you considered yourself as laid under some obligation to us?"
"Certainly, my dear Evandale," answered Claverhouse, "I am not a man
who forgets such debts; you will delight me by showing how I can evince
my gratitude."
" I will hold the debt cancelled," said Lord Evandale, " if you will spare
this young man's life."
"Evandale," replied Grahame, in great surprise, " you are mad!-absolutely mad! What interest can you have in this young spawn of an old
roundhead? His father was positively the most dangerous man in all Scotland — cool, resolute, soldierly, and inflexible in his principles. His son
seems his very model; you cannot conceive the mischief he may do. I
know mankind, Evandale — were he an insignificant, fanatical, country
booby, do you think I would have refused such a trifle as his life to Lady
Margaret and this family? But this is a lad of fire, zeal, and educationand these knaves want but such a leader to direct their blind enthusiastic
hardiness. I mention this, not as refusing your request, but to make you
fully aware of the possible consequences. I will never evade a promise, or
refuse to return an obligation-if you ask his life, he shall have it."
"Keep him close prisoner," answered Evandale, "but do not be surprised
if I persist in requesting you will not put him to death. I have most urgent
reasons for what I ask."
"Be it so then," replied Grabame. "But, young man, should you wish
in your future life to rise to eminence in the service of your king and country, let it be your first task to subject to the public interest, and to the discharge of your duty, your private passions, affections, and feelings. These
are not times to sacrifice to the dotage of greybeards, or the tears of silly
women, the measures of salutary severity which the dangers around compel
us to adopt. And remember, that if I now yield this point, in compliance
with your urgency, my present concession must exempt me from future solicitations of the same nature.'
IIe then stepped forward to the table, and bent his eyes keenly on Morton, as if to observe what effect the pause of awful suspense between death
and life, which seemed to freeze the bystanders with horror, would produce
upon the, prisoner himself. Morton maintained a degree of firmness, which
nothing but a mind that had nothing left upon earth to love or to hope,
could have supported at such a crisis.
"You see him?" said Claverhouse, in a half whisper to Lord Evandale;
"he is tottering on the verge between time and eternity, a situation more
appalling than the most hideous certainty; yet his is the only cheek unblenched, the only eye that is calm, the only heart that keeps its usual
time, the only nerves that are not quivering. Look at him well, Evandale
-If that man shall ever come to head an army of rebels, you will have
much to answer for on account of this morning's work." lie then said
aloud, "Young man, your life is for the present safe, through the inter