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.

112 WAVER.LEY NOVELS.
my eyes the most insulting coquetry.-' Soh! she would secure me as a
pis aller, I suppose, in case Mr. Rashleigh Osbaldistone should not take
compassion upon her! But I will satisfy her that I am not a person to be
trepanned in that manner-I will make her sensible that I see through her
arts, and that I scorn them."
I did not reflect for a moment, that all this indignation, which I had no
right whatever to entertain, proved that I was anything but indifferent to
Miss Vernon's charms; and I sate down to table in high ill-humour with
her and all the daughters of Eve.'Miss Vernon heard me, with surprise, return ungracious answers to one
or two playful strokes of satire which she threw out with her usual freedom of speech; but, having no suspicion that offence was meant, she only
replied to my rude repartees with jests somewhat similar, but polished
by her good temper, though pointed by her wit. At length she perceived I was really out of humour, and answered one of my rude speeches
thus:'" They say, Mr. Frank, that one may gather sense from fools -I heard
cousin Wilfred refuse to play any longer at cudgels the other day with cousin
Thornie, because cousin Thornie got angry, and struck harder than the rules
of amicable combat. it seems, permitted.'Were I to break your head in
good earnest,' quoth honest Wilfred,'I care not how angry you are, for I
should do it so much the more easily; -but it's hard I should get raps over
the costard, and only pay you back in make-believes' —'Do you understand
the moral of this, Frank?"
"I have never felt myself under the necessity, madam, of studying how
to. extract the slender portion of sense with which this family season their
conversation."
"' Necessity! and madam! -You surprise me, Mr. Osbaldistone."
"I am unfortunate in doing so."
"Am I to suppose that this capricious tone is serious? or is it only
assumed, to make your good-humour more valuable?"
" You have a right to the attention of so many gentlemen in this family,
Miss Vernon, that it cannot be worth your while to inquire into the cause
of my stupidity and bad spirits."
" WVhat!" she said, "am I to understand, then, that you have deserted
nay faction, and gone over to the enemy?"
Then, looking across the table, and observing that Rashleigh, who was
seated opposite, was watching us with a singular expression of interest on
his harsh features, she continued"'Horrible thought!-Ay, now I see'tis true,
For the grim-visaged Rashleigh smiles on me,
And points at thee for his!Well, thank Heaven, and the unprotected state which has taught me endurance, I do not take offence easily; and that I may not be forced to quarrel,
whether I like it or no, I have the honour, earlier than usual, to wish you a
happy digestion of your dinner and your bad humour."
And she left the table accordingly.
Upon Miss Vernon's departure, I found myself very little satisfied with
my own conduct. I had hurled back offered kindness, of which circumstances had but lately pointed out the honest sincerity, and I had but just
stopped- short of insulting the beautiful, and, as she had said with some
emphasis, the unprotected being by whom it was proffered. My conduct
seemed brutal in my own eyes. To combat or drown these painful reflections,
I applied myself more frequently than usual to the wine which circulated
on the table.
The agitated state of my feelings combined with my habits of temperance
to give rapid effect to the beverage. Habitual topers, I believe, acquire the
power of soaking themselves with-a quantity of liquor that does little more