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.

662 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
I have renounced the dear intercourse of my kind; compelled my tongue
only to utter, like that of a spy, the knowledge which my ear had only colb
lected as a base eavesdropper. This I have done for years-for years-and
all for the sake of your private applause - and the hope of vengeance on a
woman, who, if she did ill in murdering my father, has been bitterly repaid
by nourishing a serpent in her bosom, that had the tooth, but not the deafened ear, of the adder."
" Well - well - well," reiterated Christian; " and had you not your re
ward in my approbation -in the consciousness of your own unequalled
dexterity-by which, superior to any thing of thy sex that history has ever
known, you endured what woman never before endured, insolence without
notice, admiration without answer, and sarcasm without reply?"
"Not without reply!" said Zarah, fiercely. "Gave not Nature to my
feelings a course of expression more impressive than words? and did not
those tremble at my shrieks, who would have little minded my entreaties
or my complaints? And my proud lady, who sauced her charities with the
taunts she thought I heard not-she was justly paid by the passing of her
dearest and most secret concerns into the hands of her mortal enemy; and
the vain Earl —yet he was a thing as insignificant as the plume that nodded
in his cap; - and the maidens and lalies who taunted me - I had, or can
easily have, my revenge upon them. But there is one," she added, looking
upward, "who never taunted me; one whose generous feelings could treat
the poor dumb girl even as his sister; who never spoke word of her but it
was to excuse or defend - and you tell me I must not love him, and that it
is madness to love him! — I will be mad then, for I will love him till the
latest breath of my life!"
" Think but an instant, silly girl -silly but in one respect, since in all
others thou mayest brave the world of women. Think what I have proposed to thee, for the loss of this hopeless affection, a career so brilliant!Think only that it rests with thyself to be the wife - the wedded wife - of
the princely Buckingham! With my talents - with thy wit and beautywith his passionate love of these attributes -a short space might rank you
among England's princesses. —Be but guided by me - he is now at deadly
pass-needs every assistance to retrieve his fortunes-above all, that which
we alone can render him. Put yourself under my conduct, and not fate
itself shall prevent your wearing a Duchess's coronet."
"A coronet of thistle-down, entwined with thistle-leaves," said Zarah."I know not a slighter thing than your Buckingham! I saw him at your
request - saw him when, as a man, he should have shown himself generous
and noble -I stood the proof at your desire, for I laugh at those dangers
from which the poor blushing wailers of my sex shrink and withdraw themselves. What did I find him?-a poor wavering voluptuary - his nearest
attempt to passion like the fire on a wretched stubble-field, that may singe,
indeed, or smoke, but can neither warm nor devour. Christian! were his
coronet at my feet this moment, I would sooner take up a crown of gilded
gingerbread, than extend my hand to raise it."
"You are mad, Zarah -with all your taste and talent, you are utterly
mad! But let Buckingham pass -Do you owe me nothing on this emergency?- Nothing to one who rescued you from the cruelty of your owner,
the posture-master, to place you in ease and affluence?"
" Chri.vian," she replied, " I owe you much. IHad I not felt I did so, I
would, as I have been often tempted to do, have denounced thee to the fierce
Countess, who would have gibbeted you on her feudal walls of CastleRushin, and bid your family seek redress from the eagles, that would long
since have thatched their nest with your hair, and fed their young ospreys
with your flesh."
" I am truly glad you have had so much forbearance for me," answered
Christian.