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. 609
some pretension; and induced Buckingham to smile internally at Christian's
account of the extreme simplicity and purity of his niece.
He approached the lady en cavalier, and addressed her with the air of
being conscious, while he acknowledged his offences, that his condescending
to do so formed a sufficient apology for them. "Fair Mistress Alice," he
said, "I am sensible how deeply I ought to sue for pardon for the mistaken
zeal of my servants, who, seeing you deserted and exposed Without protection during an unlucky affray, took it upon them to bring you under the
roof of one who would expose his life rather than suffer you to sustain a
moment's anxiety. Was it my fault that those around me should have
judged it necessary to interfere for your preservation; or that, aware of the
interest I must take in you, they have detained you till I could myself, in
personal attendance, receive your commands?"
"That attendance has not been speedily rendered, my lord," answered
the lady. " I have been a prisoner for two days —neglected, and left to the
charge of menials."
" How say you, lady?-Neglected i" exclaimed the Duke. "By Heaven,
if the best in my household has failed in his duty, I will discard him on the
instant!"
"I complain of no lack of courtesy from your servants, my lord," she
replied; " but methinks it had been but complaisant in the Duke himself
to explain to me earlier wherefore he has had the boldness to detain me as
a state prisoner."
"And can the divine Alice doubt," said Buckingham, "that, had time
and space, those cruel enemies to the flight of passion, given permission,
the instant in which you crossed your vassal's threshold had seen its
devoted master at your feet, who hath thought, since he saw you, of nothing
but the charms which that fatal morning placed before him at Chiffinch's?"
"I understand, then, my lord," said the lady, "that you have been
absent, and have had no part in the restraint which has been exercised upon
me?"
"Absent on the King's command, lady, and employed in the discharge
of his duty," answered Buckingham, without hesitation. "What could I
do? - The moment you left Chiffinch's, his Majesty commulalded me to the
saddle in such haste, that I had no time to change my satin buskins for
riding-boots.* If my absence has occasioned you a moment of inconvenience, blame the inconsiderate zeal of those, who, seeing me depart from
London, half distracted at my separation from you, were willing to contribute their unmnannered, though well-meant exertions, to preserve their
master from despair, by retaining the fair Alice -within his reach. To
whom, indeed, could they have restored you? He whom you selected as
your champion is in prison, or fled - your father absent from town - your
uncle in the north. To Chiffinch's house you had expressed your wellfounded aversion; and what fitter asylum remained than that of your devoted slave, where you must ever reign a queen?"
"An imprisoned one," said the lady. " I desire not such royalty."
"Alas! how wilfully you misconstrue me!" said the Duke, kneeling on
one knee; " and what right can you have to complain of a few hours' gentle
restraint —you, who destine so many to hopeless captivity? Be merciful
for once, and withdraw that envious veil; for the divinities are ever most
cruel when they deliver their oracles from such clouded recesses. Suffer at
least my rash hand ""I will save your Grace that unworthy trouble," said the lady, haughtily;
* Tils case is not without precedent. Among the jealousies and fears expressed by the Long Parliament,
they insisted much upon al agent for the King departing for the continent so abruptly, that he had not time
to change his court dress-white buskins, to wit, and black silk pantaloons-for an equipment more suitable
to travel with.
Vo,. VII. —39