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.

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. 601
"On the contrary," said the Duke, with the same civil and sneering
manner, "I can confidently assert, that the life of half a score of your
friends would seem very light to you, Christian, if their existence interfered, I do not say with your character, as being a thing of much less consequence, but with any advantage which their existence might intercept.Fie upon it, man, we have known each other long. I never thought you a
coward; and am only glad to see I could strike a few sparkles of heat out
of your cold and constant disposition. I will now, if you please, tell you
at once the fate of the young lady, in which I pray you to believe that I
am truly interested."
"-I hear you, my Lord Duke," said Christian. " The curl of your upper
lip, and your eyebrow, does not escape me. Your Grace knows the French
proverb,' He laughs best who laughs last.' But I hear you."
"Thank Heaven you do," said Buckingham; "for your case requires
haste, I promise you, and involves no laughing matter. XWell then, hear a
simple truth, on which (if it became me to offer any pledge for what I assert to be such) I could pledge life, fortune, and honour. It was the morning before last, when meeting with the King at Chiffinch's unexpectedly -
in fAct I had looked in to fool an hour away, and to learn how your scheme
advanced-I saw a singular scene. Your niece terrified little Chiffinch(the hen Chiffinch, I mean)-bid the King defiance to his teeth, and walked
out of the presence triumphantly, under the guardianship of a young
fellow of little mark or likelihood, excepting a tolerable personal presence,
and the advantage of a most unconquerable impudence. Egad, I can
hardly help laughing to think how the King and I were both baffled; for I
will not deny, that I had tried to trifle for a moment with the fair Indamora.
But, egad, the young fellow swooped her off from under our noses, like my
own Drawcansir clearing off the banquet from the two Kings of Brentford.
There was a dignity in the gallant's swaggering retreat which I must try
to teach Mohun;* it will suit his part admirably."
" This is incomprehensible, my Lord Duke," said Christian, who by this
time had recovered all his usual coolness; " you cannot expect me to believe this. Who dared be so bold as to carry off my niece in such a manner,
and from so august a presence? And with whom, a stranger as he must
have been, would she, wise and cautious ais I know her, have consented to
depart in such a manner?-My lord, I cannot believe this."
"One of your priests, my most devout Christian," replied the Duke,
"'would only answer, Die, infidel, in thine unbelief; but I am only a poor
worldling sinner, and I will add what mite of information I can. The
young fellow's name, as I am given to understand, is Julian, son of Sir
Geoffrey, whom men call Peveril of the Peak."
"Peveril of the Devil, who hath his cavern there!" said Christian,
warmly; " for I know that gallant, and believe him capable of any thing
bold and desperate. But how could he intrude himself into the royal
presence? Either Hell aids him, or I-eaven looks nearer into mortal dealings than I have yet believed. If so, may God forgive us, who deemed he
thought not on us at all!"
"Amen, most Christian Christian," replied the Duke. "I am glad to see
thou hast yet some touch of grace that leads thee to augur so. But Empson,
the hen Chiffinch, and half a dozen more, saw the swain's entrance and departure. Please examine these witnesses with your own wisdom, if you
think your time may not be better employed in tracing the fugitives. I
believe he gained entrance as one of some dancing or masking party. Rowley, you know, is accessible to all who will come forth to make him sport.
So in stole this termagant tearing gallant, like Sampson among the Phiis.tines, to pull down our fine scheme about our ears.". Then a noted actor.
3A