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.

TiTE FORTTUN ES OF NI GEL. 4'9
own state so helpless, that I know not how to refuse your kind proffer, even
while I blush to accept it at the hands of a stranger."
"We are, I trust, no longer such," said the goldsmith; "and, for nmy
guerdon, when my mediation proves successful, and your fortunes are reestablished, you shall order your first cupboard of plate from George
IlIeriot."
" You would have a bad paymaster, Master Heriot," said Lord Nigel.
"' I do not fear that," replied the goldsmith; " and I am glad. to see you
smile, my lord — nethinks it makes you look'still more like the good old
lord your father; and it emboldens me, besides, to bring out a small request
-- that you would take a homely dinner with me to-:mlorrow. I lodge hard
by: in Lombard Street. For the cheer, my lord, a mess of white broth, a
fat capon well larded, a dish of beef collops for auld Scotland's sake, and
it may be a cup of right old wine, that was barrelled before Scotland and
England were one nation-Then for company, one or two of our own loving
countrymen - and maybe my housewife may find out a bonny Scots lass or
so."
"I would accept your courtesy, BItaster I-eriot," said Nigel, "bult I hear
the city ladies of London like to see a man gallant -I would not like to let
down a Scottish nobleman in their ideas, as doubtless you have said the
best of our poor country, and I rather lack the means of bravery for the
present."
"' My lord, your frankness leads me a step farther," said Master George.
"' I-I owed your father some monies; and-nay, if your lordship looks at
me so fixedly, I shall never tell my story-and, to speak plainly, for I never
could carry a lie well through in my life - it is most fitting, that, to solicit
this matter properly, your lordship should go to Court in a manner beseeming your quality. I am a goldsmith, and live by lending money as well as
by selling plate. I am ambitious to put an hundred pounds to be at interest
in your hands till your affairs are settled."
"And if they are never favourably settledcl?" said Nigel.
" Then, my lord," returned the citizen, "the miscarriage of such a sum
will be of little consequence to me, compared with other subjects of regret."
" Master IHeriot," said the Lord Nigel, " your favour is generously offered,
and shall be frankly accepted. I must presume that you see your way
through this business, though I hardly do; for I think you would be grieved
to add any fresh burden to me, by persuading me to incur debts which I
am not likely to discharge. I will therefore take your money, under the
hope and trust that you will enable men to repay you punctually."
" I will convince you, my lord," said the goldsmith, " that I mean to deal
with you as a creditor from whom I expect payment; and therefore, you
shall, with your own good pleasure, sign an acknowledgment for these
monies, and an obligation to content and repay me."
HI-e then took from his girdle his writing materials, and, writing a few
lines to the purport he expressed, pulled out a small bag of gold from a sidepouch under his cloak, and, observing that it should contain an hundred
pounds, proceeded to tell out the contents very methodically upon the table.
Nigel Olifaunt could not help intimating that this was an unnecessary ceremonial, and that he would take the bag of gold on the word of his obliging
creditor; but this was repugnant to the old man's form of transacting
business.
"Bear with me," he said, " my good lord, - we citizens are a wary and
thrifty generation; and I should lose my good name for ever within the toll
of Paul's, were I to grant quittance, or take acknowledgment, without bringing the money to actual tale. I think it be right now - and, body of me,"
he said, looking out at the window, " yonder come my boys with my mule;
for I must Westward Hoe. Put your monies aside, my lord; it is not well
to be seen with such goldfinches chirping about one in the lodgings of
VOL. VII.-4 E