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.

458 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
Peveril made no farther opposition to an arrangement, which in truth the
moderate state of his own finances rendered almost indispensable, unless
with his father's assistance; and the Countess put into his hand bills of
exchange to the amount of two hundred pounds, upon a merchant in the
city. She then dismissed Julian for the space of an hour; after which, she
said, she must again, require his presence.
The preparations for his journey were not of a nature to divert the
thoughts which speedily pressed on him. He found that half an hour's
conversation had once more completely changed his immediate prospects
and plans for the future. He had offered to the Countess of Derby a service, which her uniform kindness had well deserved at his hand; but, by
her accepting it, he was upon the point of being separated from Alice Bridgenorth, at a time when she was become dearer to him than ever, by her
avowal of mutual passion. Her image rose before him, such as he had that
day pressed her to his bosom -her voice was in his ear, and seemed to ask
whether he could desert her in the crisis which every thing seemed to announce as impending. But Julian Pev.eril, his youth considered, was strict
in judging his duty, and severely resolved in executing it. He trusted not
his imagination to pursue the vision which presented itself; but resolutely
seizing his pen, wrote to Alice the following letter, explaining his situation,
as far as justice to the Countess permitted him to do so:
"I leave you, dearest Alice," thus ran the letter. —" I leave you; and
though, in doing so, I but obey the command you have laid on me, yet I
can claim little merit for my compliance, since, without additional and most
forcible reasons in aid of your orders, I fear I should have.been unable to
comply with them. But family affairs of importance compel me to absent
myself from this island, for, I fear, more than one week. My thoughts,
hopes, and wishes, will be on the moment that shall restore me to the Black
Fort, and its lovely valley. Let me hope that yours will sometimes rest on
the lonely exile, whom nothing could render such, but the command of
honour and duty. Do not fear that I mean to involve you in a private correspondence, and let not your father fear it. I could not love you so much,
but for the openness and candour of your nature; and I would not that you
concealed from Major Bridgenorth one syllable of what I now avow. Respecting other matters, he himself cannot desire the welfare of our common
country with more zeal than I do. Differences may occur concerning the
mode in which that is to be obtained; but, in the principle, I am convinced
there can be only one mind between us; nor can I refuse to listen to his
experience and wisdom, even where they may ultimately fail to convince
me. Farewell-Alice, farewell! MPuch might be added to that melancholy
word, but nothing that could express the bitterness with which it is written.
Yet I could transcribe it again and again, rather than conclude the last communication which I can have with you for some time. My sole comfort is;
that my stay will scarce be so long as to permit you to forget one who never
can forget you."
He held the paper in his hand for a minute after he had folded, but
before he had sealed it, while he hurriedly debated in his own mind whether
he had not expressed himself towards Major Bridgenorth in so conciliating
a manner as might excite hopes of proselytism, which his conscience told
him he could not realize with honour. Yet, on the other hand, he had no
right, from what Bridgenorth had said, to conclude that-their principles
were diametrically irreconcilable; for though the son of a high Cavalier,
and educated in the family of the Countess of Derby, he was himself, upon
principle, an enemy of prerogative, and a friend to the liberty of the subject. And with such considerations, he silenced all internal objections on
the point of honour; although his conscience secretly whispered that these
conciliatory expressions towards the father were chiefly dictated by the fear,
that during his absence, Major Bridgenorth might be tempted to change