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 FORTUNES OF NIGEL. 267
"I marvel your Majesty will listen to him longer," said Prince Charles.
"Methinks we have heard enough of his daring insolence."
But James, who took the interest of a true gossip in such a scene as was
now passing, could not bear to cut the controversy short, but imposed silence
on his son, with " Whisht, Baby Charles —there is a good bairn, whisht!I want to hear what the frontless loon can say."
"Only, sir," said Dalgarno, " that but for one single line in this schedule,
all else that it contains could not have bribed me to take that wonman's hand
into mine."
"That line maun have been the su1mmaz totalis," said the King.
"Not so, sire," replied I)Dalgarno. "The sum total might indeed have
been an object for consideration even to a Scottish king, at no very distant
period; but it would have had little charms for me, save that I see here an
entry which gives me the power of vengeance over the family of Glenvarloch; and learn from it that yonder pale bride, when she put the weddingtorch into my hand, gave me the power of burning her mother's house to
ashes 1"
" How is that?" said the King. "What is he speaking about, Jingling
Geordie?"
" This friendly citizen, my liege," said Lord Dalgarno, "hath expendedl a
sum belonging to my lady, and now, I thank Heaven, to me, in acquiring a
certain mortgage, or wadset, over the estate of Glenvarloch, which, if it be
not redeemed before to-morrow at noon, will put me in possession of the fair
denmesnes of those who once called themselves our house's rivals."
" Can this be true?" said the King.
"It is even but too true, please your Majesty," answered the citizen.
"The Lady Hermione having advanced the money for the original creditor,
I was obliged, in honour and honesty, to take the rights to her; and, doubtless, they pass to her husband."
C "But the warrant, lman," said the King-" the warrant on our Exchequer
-Couldna that supply the lad wi' the means of redemption?"
" Unhappily, my liege, he has lost it, or disposed of it - It is not to be
found. He is the most unlucky youth!"
"This is a proper spot of work 1" said the King, beginning to amble
about rand play with the points of his doublet and hose, in expression of
dismay. " We cannot aid him without paying our debts twice over, and
we have, in the present state of our Exchequer, scarce the means of paying
them'once."
"You have told me news," said Lord Dalgarno, "but I will take no
advantage."
"Do not," said his father; "be a bold villain, since thou must be one,
and seek revenge with arms, and not with the usurer's weapons."
I"Pardon me, my lord," said Lord Dalgarno. " Pen and ink are now my
surest means of vengeance; and more land is won by the lawyer with the
ram-skin, than by the Andrea Ferrara with his sheepshead handle. But,
as I said before, I will take no advantages. I will wait in town to-morrow,
near Coveut-Garden; if any one will pay the redemption-money to my
scrivener, with whom the deeds lie, the better for Lord G-lenvarloch; if not,
I will go forward on the next day, and travel with all despatch to the north,
to take possession."
" Take a father's malison with you, unhappy wretch!" said Lord Iuntinglen.
" And a King's, wyho is paler patriw," said James.
"I trust to bear both lightly," said Lord Dalgarno; and bowing around
him, he withdrew; while all present, oppressed, and, as it were, overawed
by his determined effrontery, found they could draw breath more freely,
when he at length relieved them of his society. Lord Huntinglen, applying
himself to comfort his new daughter-in-law, withdrew with her also; and