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.

TIlE FORTUNES OF NIGEL 91
notice which arises from surprise and curiosity, and, taking him by the
arm, without speaking, led him out of the presence-chamber into the first
anteroom. IHere they found the worthy goldsmith, who approached them
with looks of curiosity, which were checked by the old lord, who said
hastily, "All is well. —Is your barge in waiting?" Heriot answered in
the affirmative. "'Then," said Lord EIuntinglen, "you shall give me a cast
in it, as the watermen say, and I, in requital, will give you both your dinner; for we must have some conversation together."
They both followed the Earl without speaking, and were in the second
anteroom when the important annunciation of the ushers, and the hasty
murmur with which all made ample way as the company repeated to each
other, -" The Duke — the Duke!" made them aware of the approach of
the omnipotent favourite.
Ite entered, that unhappy minion of court favour, sumptuously dressed
inthe picturesque attire which will live for ever on the canvass of Vandyke,
and which marks so well the proud age, when aristocracy, though undermined and nodding to its fall, still, by external show and profuse expense,
endeavoured to assert its paramount superiority over the inferior orders.
The, handsome and commanding countenance, stately form, and graceful
action and manners of the Duke of Buckinghamn, made him become that
picturesque dress beyond any man of his time. At present, how.~ever, his
countenance seemed discomposed, his dress a little more disordered than
became the place, his step hasty, and his voice imperative.
All marked the angry spot upon his brow, and bore back so suddenly to
make way for him, that the Earl of Huntinglen, who affected no extraordinary haste on the occasion, with his companions, who could not, if they
would, have decently left him, remained as it were by themselves in the
middle of the room, and in the very path of the angry favourite. IIe touched
his cap sternly as he looked on Huntinglen, but unbonneted to Heriot, and
sunk his beaver, with its shadowy plume, as low as the floor, with a profound air of mock respect. In returning his greeting, which he did simply
and unaffectedly, the citizen only said,- "Too much courtesy, my lord
duke, is often the reverse of kindness."
"I grieve you should think so, Master HIeriot," answered the Duke; " I
only meant, by my homnage, to claim your protection, sir - your patronage.
You are become, I understand, a solicitor of suits-a promoter —an undertaker —a fautor of court suitors of merit and quality, who ch'ance to be
pennyless. I trust your bags will bear you out in your new boast."
" They will bear me the farther, my lord duke," answered the goldsmith,
"that my boast is but small."
" Oh, you do yourself less than justice, my good Master HI-eriot," continued
the Duke, in the same tone of irony; " you have a marvellous court-faction,
to be the son of an Edinburgh tinker. Have the goodness to prefer me to
the knowledge of the high-born nobleman who is honoured and advantaged
by your patronage."'That shall be my task," said Lord -luntinglen, with emphasis. " Iy
lord duke, I desire you to know Nigel Olifaunt, Lord Glenvarloch, representative of one of the most ancient and powerful baronial houses in Scotland
- Lord Glenvarloch, I present you to his Grace the Duke of Buckingham,
representative of Sir George Villiers, Knight, of Brookesby in the county
of Leicester."
The Duke coloured still more high as he bowed to Lord Glenvarloch scornfully, a courtesy which the other returned haughtily, and with restrained
indignation. " We know each other, then," said the Duke after a moment's
pause,, and as if he had seen something in the young nobleman which merited
more serious notice than the bitter raillery with which he commenced" - v" we
know each other -and you know me, my lord, for your enemy."*
~'lwulrk i;hal, who h11 a nk;ess iln his high and irascibdto:srhiltionl. wx fs aiwl, S r-'ready to bid deI e.nc1e to
titie by wiihni he n was thwarted or opposed. He aspired to be created Prilne of'Tipperary il Itrellad, and