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.

538 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
mrine. - To subdue a Puritan in Esse -a King's favourite in Posse - the
very muster of western beauties that is point first. The impudence of
this Manx mongrel to be corrected - the pride of Madame la Duchesse to
be pulled down - an important state intrigue to be farthered, or baffled, as
circumstances render most to my own honour and glory-I wished for business but now, and I have got enough of it. But Buckingham will keep his
own steerage-way through shoal and through weather."
- Mark you this, Bassanio -
The devil can quote Scripture for his purpose.
MERCHANT OF VENICE.
AFTER leaving the proud mansion of the Duke of Buckingham, Christian,
full of the deep and treacherous schemes which he meditated, hastened to
the city, where, in a decent inn, kept by a person of his own persuasion,
he had been unexpectedly summoned to meet with Ralph Bridgenorth of
Moultrassie. He was not disappointed-the Major had arrived that morning, and anxiously expected him. The usual gloom of his countenance was
darkened into a yet deeper shade of anxiety, which was scarcely relieved,
even while, in answer to his inquiry after his daughter, Christian gave the
most favourable account of her health and spirits, naturally and unaffectedly
intermingled with such praises of her beauty and her disposition, as were
likely to be most grateful to a father's ear.
But Christian had too much cunning to expatiate on this theme, however
soothing. He stopped short exactly at the point where, as an affectionate
relative, he might be supposed to have said enough. " The lady," he said,
" with whom he had placed Alice, was delighted with her aspect and manners, and undertook to be responsible for her health and happiness. He
had not, he said, deserved so little confidence at the hand of his brother,
Bridgenorth, as that the Major should, contrary to his purpose, and to the
plan which they had adjusted together, have hurried up from the country,
as if his own presence were necessary for Alice's protection."
" Brother Christian," said Bridgenorth in reply, " I must see my childI must see this person with whom she is intrusted."
" To what purpose?" answered Christian. " Have you not often confessed
that the over excess of the carnal affection which you have entertained for
your daughter, hath been a snare to you? - Have you not, more than once,
been on the point of resigning those great designs which should place righteousness as a counsellor beside the throne, because you desired to gratify
your daughter's girlish passion for this descendant of your old persecutorthis Julian Peveril?"
" I own it," said Bridgenorth; "and worlds would I have given, and
would yet give, to clasp that youth to my bosom, and call him my son.
The spirit of his mother looks from his eye, and his stately step is as that
of his father, when he daily spoke comfort to me in my distress, and said,'The child liveth.'"
" But the youth walks," said Christian, " after his own lights, and mistakes the meteor of the marsh for the Polar star. Ralph Bridgenorth, I
will speak to thee in friendly sincerity. Thou must not think to serve both
the good cause and Baal. Obey, if thou wilt, thine own carnal affections,
summon this Julian Peveril to thy house, and let him wed thy daughter -
But mark the reception he will meet with from the proud old knight, whose