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.

442 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
abusing the partiality and confidence of the lover, whose heart was as open
before her, as if his tongue had made an express declaration. Could she
with honour engage Lord Evandale in the service of a rival? or could she
with prudence make him any request, or lay herself under any obligation
to him, without affording ground for hopes which she could never realize?
But the moment was too urgent for hesitation, or even for those explanations with which her request might otherwise have been qualified.
"I will but -dispose of this young fellow," said Claverhouse, from the
other side of the hall, " and then, Lord Evandale —I am sorry to interrupt
again your conversation-but then we must mount.-Bothwell, why do you
not bring up the prisoner? and, hark ye, let two files load their carabines."
In these words, Edith conceived she heard the death-warrant of her
lover. She instantly broke through the restraint which had hitherto kept
her silent.
"My'Lord Evandale," she said, "this young gentleman is a particular
friend of my uncle's; —your interest must be great with your colonel — let
me request your intercession in his favour — it will confer on my uncle a
lasting obligation."
"You overrate my interest, Miss Bellenden,"' said Lord Evandale; " I
have been often unsuccessful in such applications, when I have made them
on the mere score of humanity."
"Yet try once again for my uncle's sake."
"And why not for your own?" said Lord Evandale. "Will you not allow
me to think I am obliging you personally in this matter? Are you so diffident of an old friend that you will not allow him even the satisfaction of
thinking that he is gratifying your wishes?"
" Surely - surely," replied Edith; "you will oblige me infinitely-I am
interested in the young gentleman on my uncle's account-Lose no time, for
God's sake!"
She became bolder and more urgent in her entreaties, for she heard the
steps of the soldiers who were entering with their prisoner.
" By heaven! then," said Evandale, "he shall not die, if I should die in
his place! —But will not you," he said, resuming the hand, which in the
hurry of her spirits she had not courage to withdraw, " will not you grant
me one suit, in return for my zeal in your service?"
" Anything you can ask, my Lord Evandale, that sisterly affection can
give."
"And is this all," he continued, "all you can grant to my affection
living, or my memory when dead?"
"Do not speak thus, my lord," said Edith; "you distress me, and do injustice to yourself. There is no friend I esteem more highly, or to whom
I would more readily grant every mark of regard-providing-But"
A deep sigh made her turn her head suddenly, ere she had well uttered
the last word; and as she hesitated how to frame the exception with which
she meant to close the sentence, she became instantly aware she had been
overheard by Morton, who, heavily ironed and guarded by soldiers, was now
passing behind her in order to be presented to Claverhouse. As their eyes
met each other, the sad and reproachful expression of Morton's glance
seemed to imply that he had partially heard, and altogether misinterpretel,
the conversation which had just passed. There wanted but this to complete Edith's distress and confusion. Her blood, which rushed to her brow,
made a sudden revulsion to her heart, and left her as pale as death. This
change did not escape the attention of Evandale, whose quick glance easily
discovered that there was between the prisoner and the object of his attachment, some singular and uncommon connexion. IHe resigned the hand of
Miss Bellenden, again surveyed the prisoner with more attention, again
looked at Edith, and plainly observed the confusion which she could no
longer conceal.