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. 269
thou art a timid horsewoman, and ever wert so- the only weakness I have
known of thee."
"But, my father," said Alice, fixing her eyes earnestly on Sir Henry's
face, "must I really go along with the King? might not Phoebe, or dame
Jellicot, go with us?"
"No- no- no," answered Sir Henry; "Phoebe, the silly slut, has, as
you well know, been in fits to-night, and I take it, such a walk as you must
take is no charm for hysterics-Dame Jellicot hobbles as slow as a brokenwinded mare-besides, her deafness, were there occasion to speak to herNo-no-you shall go alone and entitle yourself to have it written on your
tomb,'Here lies she who saved the King!' - And, hark you, do not think
of returning to-night, but stay at the verdurer's with his niece - the Park
and Chase will shortly be filled with our enemies, and whatever chances
here you will learn early enough in the morning."
"And what is it I may then learn?" said Alice-" Alas, who can tell?0, dearest father, let me stay and share your fate! I will pull off the timorous woman, and fight for the King, if it be necessary. -But —I cannot
think of becoming his only attendant in the dark night, and through a road
so lonely."
" How!" said the knight, raising his voice; "do you bring ceremonious
and silly scruples forward, when the King's safety, nay his life is at stake!
By this mark of loyalty," stroking his grey beard as he spoke, " could I
think thou wert other than becomes a daughter of the house of Lee, I
would" —
At this moment the King and Albert interrupted him by entering the
apartment, having exchanged dresses, and, from their stature, bearing some
resemblance to each other, though Charles was evidently a plain, and Lee
a handsome young man. Their complexions were different; but the difference could not be immediately noticed, Albert having adopted a black
peruque, and darkened his eyebrows.
Albert Lee walked out to the front of the mansion, to give one turn
around the Lodge, in order to discover in what direction any enemies might
be approaching, that they might judge of the road which it was safest for
the royal fugitive to adopt. Meanwhile.the King, who was first in entering
the apartment, had heard a part of the:afngry answer which the old knight
made to his daughter, and was at no loss to guess the subject of his resentment. lIe walked up to him with the dignity which he perfectly knew how
to assume when he chose it.
" Sir Henry," he said, "it is our pleasure, nay our command, that you
forbear all exertion of paternal authority in this matter. Mistress Alice, I
am sure, must have good and strong reasons for what she wishes; and I
should never pardon myself were she placed in an unpleasant situation on
my account. I am too well acquainted with woods and wildernesses to fear
losing my way among my native oaks of Woodstock."
" Your Majesty shall not incur the danger," said Alice, her temporary
hesitation entirely removed by the calm, clear, and candid manner in which
Charles uttered these last words. "You shall run no risk that I can prevent; and the unhappy chances of the times in which I have lived have
from experience made the forest as well known to me by night as by day.
So, if you scorn not my company, let us away instantly."
" If your company is given with good-will, I accept it with gratitude,"
replied the monarch.
"Willingly," she said, "most willingly. Let me be one of the first to
show that zeal and that confidence, which I trust all England will one day
emulously display in behalf of your Majesty."
She uttered these words with an alacrity of spirit, and made the trifling
change of habit with a speed and dexterity, which showed that all her fears
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