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.

PEVERPIL OF TIHE PEAK. 479
M' [y way is yours," said the pertinacious Master Ganlesse, as he called
himself; " and we will both travel the safer, that we journey in company.
I have the receipt of fern-seed, man, and walk invisible. Besides, you
would not have me quit you in this lane, where there is no turn to right or
left?"
Peveril moved on, desirous to avoid open violence -for which the indifferent tone of the traveller, indeed, afforded no apt pretext —yet highly disliking his company, and determined to take the first opportunity to rid
himself of it.
The stranger proceeded at the same pace with him, keeping cautiously on
his bridle hand, as if to secure that advantage in case of a struggle. But
his language did not intimate the least apprehension. " You do me wrong,"
he said to Peveril, " and you equally wrong yourself. You are uncertain
where to lodge to-night - trust to my guidance. Here is an ancient hall,
within four miles, with an old knightly Pantaloon for its lord - an all-beruffed Dame Barbara for the lady gay-a Jesuit, in a butler's habit, to say
grace -an old tale of Edgehill and W~ror'ster fights to relish a cold venison
pasty, and a flask of claret mantled with cobwebs —a bed for you in the
priest's hiding-hole-and, for aught I know, pretty Mistress Betty, the dairymnaid, to make it ready."
" This has no charms for me, sir," said Peveril, who, in spite of himself,
could not but be amused with the ready sketch which the stranger gave of
many an old mansion in Cheshire and Derbyshire, where the owners retained
the ancient faith of Rome.
" Well, I see I cannot charm you in this way," continued his companion;
" I must strike another key. I am no longer Ganlesse, the seminary priest,
but [changing his tone, and snuffling in the nose] Simon Canter, a poor
preacher of the word, who travels this way to call sinners to repentance;
and to strengthen, and to edify, and to fructify among the scattered remnant
who hold fast the truth. - What say you to this, sir?"
"I admire your versatility, sir, and could be entertained with it at another time. At present sincerity is more in request."
" Sincerity 1" said the stranger; -"a child's whistle, with but two notes
in it-yea, yea, and nay, nay. Why, man, the very Quakers have renounced
it, and have got in its stead a gallant recorder, called HI-ypocrisy, that is
somewhat like Sincerity in form, but of much greater compass, and combines the whole gamut. Come, be ruled-be a disciple of Simon Canter for
the evening, and we will leave the old tumble-down castle of the knight
aforesaid, on the left hand, for a new brick-built mansion, erected by an
eminent salt-boiler from Namptwich, who expects the said Simon to make
a strong spiritual pickle for the preservation of a soul somewhat corrupted
by the evil communications of this wicked world. What say you? He has
two daughters-brighter eyes never beamed under a pinched hood; and for
myself, I think there is more fire in those who live only to love and to devotion, than in your court beauties, whose hearts are running on twenty follies
besides. You know not the pleasure of being conscience-keeper to a pretty
precisian, who in one breath repeats her foibles, and in the next confesses
her passion. Perhaps, though, you may have known such in your day?
Come, sir, it grows too dark to see your blushes; but I am sure they are
burning on your cheek."
" You take great freedom, sir," said Peveril, as they now approached the
end of the lane, where it opened on a broad common; " and you seem rather
to count more on my forbearance, than you have room to do with safety.
We are now nearly free of the lane which has made us companions for this
last half hour.'o avoid your farther company, I will take the turn to theleft, upon that common; and if you follow me, it shall be at your peril.
Observe, I am well armed; and you will fight at odds."
" Not at odds," returned the provoking stranger, " while I have my brown