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.

P EVERIL OF THE PEAKe. 457
all that is noble and wealthy. No whisper, I presume, however indirect,
has connected my name with the alleged conspiracy. I am a Protestant,
above all; and can be accused of no intercourse, direct or indirect, with the
Church of Rome. My connections also lie amongst those, who,,if they do
not, or cannot, befriend me, cannot at least be dangerous to me. In a word,
I run no danger where the Earl might incur great peril"
"Alas 1" said the Countess of Derby, "1all this generous reasoning may
be true; but it could only be listened to by a widowed mother. Selfish as
I am, I cannot but reflect that my kinswoman has, in all events, the support
of an affectionate husband -such is the interested reasoning to which we
are not ashamed to subject our better feelings."
"Do not call it so, madam," answered Peveril; "think of me as the
younger brother of my kinsman. You have ever done by me the duties of
a mother; and have a right to my filial service, were it at a risk ten times
greater than a journey to London, to inquire into the temper of the times.
I will instantly go and announce my departure to the Earl."
" Stay, Julian," said the Countess; " if you must make this journey in
our behalf, - and, alas I I have not generosity enough to refuse your noble
proffer, - you must go alone, and without communication with Derby. I
know him well; his lightness of mind is free from selfish baseness; and
for the world, would he not suffer you to leave IMan without his company.
And if he went with you, your noble and disinterested kindness would be
of no avail -you would but share his ruin, as the swimmer who attempts
to save a drowning man is involved in his fate, if he permit the sufferer to
grapple with him."
" It shall be as you please, madam," said Peveril. " I am ready to depart
upon half an hour's notice."
" This night, then," said the Countess, after a moment's pause - " this
night I will arrange the most secret means of carrying your generous project into effect; for I would not excite that prejudice against you, which
will instantly arise, were it known you had so lately left this island, and
its Popish lady. You will do well, perhaps, to use a feigned name in
London."
" Pardon me, madam," said Julian; "I will do nothing that can draw
on me unnecessary attention; but to bear a feigned name, or affect any disguise beyond living with extreme privacy, would, I think, be unwise as well
as unworthy; and what, if challenged, I might find some difficulty in assigning a reason for, consistent with perfect fairness of intentions."
" I believe you are right," answered the Countess, after a moment's consideration; and then added, "You propose, doubtless, to pass through
Derbyshire, and visit Martindale Castle?"
"I should wish it, madam, certainly," replied Peveril, "did time permit,
and circumstances render it advisable."
"Of that," said the Countess, "you must yourself judge. Despatch is,
doubtless, desirable; on the other hand, arriving from your own familyseat, you will be less an object of doubt and suspicion, than if you posted
up from hence, without even visiting your parents. You must be guided in
this,-in all,-by your own prudence. Go, my dearest son-for to me you
should be dear as a son-go, and prepare for your journey. I will get ready
some despatches, and a supply of money -Nay, do not object. Am I not
your mother; and are you not discharging a son's duty? Dispute not my
right of defraying your expenses. Nor is this all; for, as I must trust your
zeal and prudence to act in our behalf when occasion shall demand, I will
furnish you with effectual recommendations to our friends and kindred, entreating and enjoining them to render whatever aid you may require, either
for your own protection, or the advancement of what you may propose in
our favour."'
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