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.

334 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
ing. The government are now unprovided of men and ammunition; in a
few weeks they will have enough of both: the country is now in a flame
against them; in a few weeks, betwixt the effects of self-interest, of fear,
and of lukewarm indifference, which are already so visible, this first fervour
will be as cold as Christmas. So, as I was determined to go the vole, I
have taken care you shall dip as deep as I: it signifies nothing plunging.
You are fairly in the bog, and must struggle through."
"You are mistaken with respect to one of us, Mr. iMareschal," said Sir
Frederick Langley; and, applying himself to the bell, he desired the person who entered to order his servants and horses instantly.
"You must not leave us, Sir Frederick," said Ellieslaw; "we have our
musters to go over."
" I will go to-night, Mir. Fere," said Sir Frederick, "and write you my
intentions in this matter when I alm at home."
" Ay," said Maresehal, " and send them by a troop of horse from Carlisle
to make us prisoners? Look ye, Sir Frederick, I for one will neither be
deserted nor betrayed; and if you leave Ellieslaw Castle to-night, it shall
be by passing over my dead body."
" For shame! Mareschal," said Mr. Vere, "how can you so hastily misinterpret our friend's intentions? I am sure Sir Frederick can only be
jesting with us; for, were he not too honourable to dream of deserting the
cause, he cannot but remember the full proofs we have of his accession to
it, and his eager activity in advancing it. IHe cannot but be conscious,
besides, that the first information will be readily received by government,
and that if the question be, which can first lodge intelligence of the affair,
we can easily save a few hours on himl."
" You sholcld say you, and not we, when you talk of priorities in such a
race of treachery; for my part, I won't enter my horse for such plate,"
said Mareschal; and added betwixt his teeth, " A pretty pair of fellows to
trust a man's neck with!"
"I am not to be intimidated from doing what I think proper," said Sir
Frederick Langley; " and my first step shall be to leave Ellieslaw. I have
no reason to keep faith with one" (looking at Vere) " who has kept none
with me."
"In what respect," said Ellieslaw, silencing, with a motion of his
hand, his impetuous kinsman- "how have I disappointed you, Sir Frederick?"
"In the nearest and most tender point-you have trifled with me concerning our proposed alliance, which you well knew was the gage of our
political undertaking. This carrying off and this bringing back of Miss
Vere, —the cold reception I have met with from her, and the excuses with
which you cover it, I believe to be mere evasions, that you may yourself
retain possession of the estates which are her's by right, and make me, in
the meanwhile, a tool in your desperate enterprise, by holding out hopes
and expectations which you are resolved never to realize."
" Sir Frederick, I protest, by all that is sacred —"
"I will listen to no protestations; I have been cheated with them too
long," answered Sir Frederick.
" If you leave us," said Ellieslaw, "you cannot but know both your ruin
and ours is certain; all depends on our adhering together."
"Leave me to take care of myself," returned the knight; "but were
what you say true, I would rather perish than be fooled any farther."
" Can nothing —no surety convince you of my sincerity?" said Ellieslaw,
anxiously; "this morning I should have repelled your unjust suspicions as
an insult; but situated as we now are —
"You feel yourself compelled to be sincere?" retorted Sir Frederick.
"If you would have me thinkl so, there is but one way to convince inme of
it-lot your daughter bestow her hand on me this evening."