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.

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. 561
stunned spectator of all that had happened, Peveril had become, in the
predominating interest of Alice's critical situation, totally forgetful of her
presence. But no sooner had he left the room, without noticing or attending
to her, than Fenella, starting as from a trance, drew herself up, and looked
wildly around, like one waking from a dream, as if to assure herself that
her companion was gone, and gone without paying the slightest attention
to her. She folded her hands together, and cast her eyes upwards, with an
expression of such agony as explained to Charles (as he thought) what
painful ideas were passing in her mind. " This Peveril is a perfect pattern
of successful perfidy," said the King; " he has not only succeeded at first
sight in carrying off this Queen of the Amazons, but he has left us, I think,
a disconsolate Ariadne in her place. But weep not, my princess of pretty
movements," he said, addressing himself to Fenella; " if we cannot call in
Bacchus to console you, we will commit you to the care of Empson, who
shall drink with Liber Pater for a thousand pounds, and I will say done
first."
As the King spoke these words, Fenella rushed past him with her wonted
rapidity of step, and, with much less courtesy than was due to the royal
presence, hurried down stairs, and out of the house, without attempting to
open any communication with the Monarch. He saw her abrupt departure
with more surprise than displeasure; and presently afterwards, bursting
into a fit of laughter, he said to the Duke, "Oddsfish, George, this young
spark might teach the best of us how to manage the wenches. I have had
my own experience, but I could never yet contrive either to win or lose
them with so little ceremony."
"Experience, sir," replied the Duke, " cannot be acquired without years."
"True, George; and you would, I suppose, insinuate," said Charles,
"that the gallant who acquires it, loses as much in youth as he gains in
art? I defy your insinuation, George. You cannot overreach your master,
old as you think him, either in love or politics. You have not the secret
plumer la poule sans la faire crier, witness this morning's work. I will
give you odds at all games —ay, and at the Mall, too, if thou darest accept
my challenge.-Chiffinch, what for dost thou convulse thy pretty throat and
face with sobbing and hatching tears, which seem rather unwilling to make
their appearance?"
" It is for fear," whined Chiffinch, " that your Majesty should thinkthat you should expect- "
" That I should expect gratitude from a courtier, or faith from a woman?"
answered the King, patting her at the same time under the chin, to make
her raise her face -" Tush! chicken, I am not so superfluous."
" There it is now," said Chiffinch, continuing to sob the more bitterly, as
she felt herself unable to produce any tears; " I see your Majesty is deternlined to lay all the blame on me, when I am innocent as an unborn babel will be judged by his Grace."
" No doubt, no doubt, Chiffie," said the King. "s His Grace and you will
be excellent judges, in each other's cause, and as good witnesses in each
other's favour. But to investigate the matter impartially, we must examine
our evidence apart. —My Lord Duke, we ileet at the Mall at noon, if your
Grace dare accept my challenge."
Itis Grace of Buckingham bowed, and retired.
YoL. VII.-36