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.

PEVEPIL OF THE PEAK.. 445
the singularity of her situation, -seeming, in her case, to justify what
would have been most blameable in another, - had more than half abandoned her.
The result of a moment's deliberation was fatal to Julian's proposal.
She extricated herself from the arm which had pressed her to his side —
arose, and repelling his attempts to approach or detain her, said, with a
simplicity not unmingled with dignity, "Julian, I always knew I risked
much in inviting you to this meeting; but I did not guess that I could have
been so cruel both to you and to myself, as to suffer you to discover what
you have to-day seen too plainly - that I love you better than you love me.
But since you do know it, I will show you that Alice's love is disinterested
- She will not brine an ignoble name into your ancient house. If hereafter, in your line, there should arise some who may think the claims of the
hierarchy too exorbitant, the powers of the crown too extensive, men shall
not say these ideas were derived from Alice Bridgenorth, their whig granddame."
" Can you speak thus, Alice?" said her lover. " Can you use such expressions? and are you not sensible that they show plainly it is your own
pride, not regard for me, that makes you resist the happiness of both?"
"Not so, Julian; not so," answered Alice, with tears in her eyes; " it is
the command of duty to us both - of duty, which we cannot transgress,
without risking our happiness here and hereafter. Think what I, the cause
of all, should feel, when your father frowns, your mother weeps, your noble
friends stand aloof, and you, even you yourself, shall have made the painful
discovery, that you have incurred the contempt and resentment of all to
satisfy a boyish passion; and that the poor beauty, once sufficient to mislead
you, is gradually declining under the influence of grief and vexation. This
will not risk. I see distinctly it is best we should here break off and
part; and I thank God, who gives me light enough to perceive, and strength
enough to withstand, your folly as well as my own. Farewell, then, Julian;
but first take the solemn advice which I called you hither to impart to you:
-Shun my. father-you cannot walk in his paths, and be true to gratitude
and to honour. What he doth from pure and honourable motives, you cannot aid him in, except upon the suggestion of a silly and interested passion,
at variance with all the engagements you have formed at coming into life."
"Once more, Alice," answered Julian, "I understand you not. If a
course of action is good, it needs no vindication from the actor's motives -
if bad, it can derive none."
" You cannot blind me with your sophistry, Julian," replied Alice Bridgenorth, " any more than you can overpower me with your passion. Had the
patriarch destined his son to death upon any less ground than faith and
humble obedience to a divine commandment, he had meditated a murder
and not a sacrifice. In our late bloody and lamentable wars, how many
drew swords on either side, from the purest and most honourable motives?
1How many from the culpable suggestions of ambition, self-seeking, and
love of plunder? Yet while they marched in the same ranks, and spurred
their horses at the same trumpet-sound, the memory of the former is dear
to us as patriots or loyalists-that of those who acted on mean or unworthy
promptings, is either execrated or forgotten. Once more, I warn you, avoid
my father -leave this island, which will be soon agitated by strange incidents-while you stay, be on your guard —distrust every thing-be jealous
of every one, even of those to whom it may seem almost impossible, from
circumstances, to attach a shadow of suspicion- trust not the very stones
of the most secret apartment in Holm-Peel, for that which hath wings shall
carry the matter."
Here Alice broke off suddenly, and with a faint shriek; for, stepping
from behind the stunted copse which had concealed him, her father stood
unexpectedly before them.
2N