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.

WOODSTOCK. 235
Answer me - and your answer shall decide my conduct - Is this youth, so
short while known, already of more value to you than those dear connexions, father, brother, and kinsman, whose departure to battle you saw
with comparative indifference?-Say this, and it shall be enough-I leave
the ground, never to see you or this country again."
" Stay, Markham, stay; and believe me when I say, that if I answer your
question in the affirmative, it is because Master Kerneguy's safety comprehends more, much more, than that of any of those you have mentioned."
" Indeed I I did not know a coronet had been so superior in value to the
crest of a private gentleman," said Everard; "yet I have heard that many
women think so."
" You apprehend me amiss," said Alice, perplexed between the difficulty
of so expressing herself as to prevent immediate mischief, and at the same
time anxious to combat the jealousy and disarm the resentment which she
saw arising in the bosom of her lover. But she found no words fine enough
to draw the distinction, without leading to a discovery of the King's actual
character, and perhaps, in consequence, to his destruction. —" Markham,"
she said, "have compassion on me. Press me not at this moment; believe
me, the honour and happiness of my father, of my brother, and of my whole
family, are interested in Master Kerneguy's safety, are inextricably concerned in this matter resting where it now does."
" Oh, ay - I doubt not," said Everard; "the House of Lee ever looked
up to nobility, and valued in their connexions the fantastic loyalty of a
courtier beyond the sterling and honest patriotism of a plain country gentleman. For them, the thing is in course. But on your part, you, AliceO! on your part, whom I have loved so dearly -who have suffered me to
think that my affection was not unrepaid-Can the attractions of an empty
ttle, the idle court compliments of a mere man of quality, during only a
few hours, lead you to prefer a libertine lord to such a heart as mine?"
"No, no -believe me, no," said Alice, in the extremity of distress.
"Put your answer, which seems so painful, in one word, and say for
whose safety it is you are thus deeply interested?"
"For both -for both," said Alice.
"That answer will not serve, Alice," answered Everard -" here is no
room for equality. I must and will know to what I have to trust. I understand not the paltering, which makes a maiden unwilling to decide betwixt
two suitors; nor would I willingly impute to you the vanity that cannot
remain contented with one lover at once."
The vehemence of Everard's displeasure, when he supposed his own long
and sincere devotion lightly forgotten, amid the addresses of a profligate
courtier, awakened the spirit of Alice Lee, who, as we elsewhere said, had
a portion in her temper of the lion-humour that was characteristic of her
family.
"If I am thus misinterpreted," she said-" if I am not judged worthy
of the least confidence or candid construction, hear my declaration, and my
assurance, that, strange as my words may seem, they are, when truly interpreted, such as do you no wrong. I tell you -I tell all present, and I tell
this gentleman himself, who well knows the sense in which I speak, that
his life and safety are, or ought to be, of more value to me than those of
any other man in the kingdom-nay, in the world, be that other who
he will."
These words she spoke in a tone so firm and decided as admitted no farther discussion. Charles bowed low and with gravity, but remained silent.
Everard, his features agitated by the emotions which his pride barely
enabled him to suppress, advanced to his antagonist, and said, in a tone
which he vainly endeavoured to make a firm one, " Sir, you heard the lady's
declaration, with such feelings, doubtless of gratitude, as the case eminently
demands.-As her poor kinsman, and an unworthy suitor, sir, I presume