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.

160 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
Alice Lee. I trust that my folly has given my young mistress no offence,
and that she will allow me, in token of reconciliation, to fill her pitcher,
and carry it as far as she will permit."
" As you will, good mother; but I am about to return instantly to the
Lodge, to which, in these times, I cannot admit strangers. You can follow
me no farther than the verge of the wilderness, and I am already too long
from home: I will send some one to meet and relieve you of the pitcher."
So saying, she turned her back, with a feeling of terror which she could
hardly account for, and began to walk quickly towards the Lodge, thinking
thus to get rid of her troublesome acquaintance.
But she reckoned without her host; for in a moment her new companion
was by her side, not running, indeed, but walking with prodigious long
unwomanly strides, which soon brought her up with the hurried and timid
steps of the frightened maiden. But her manner was more respectful than
formerly, though her voice sounded remarkably harsh and disagreeable, and
her whole appearance suggested an undefined, yet irresistible feeling of
apprehension.
"Pardon a stranger, lovely Mistress Alice," said her persecutor, "that
was not capable of distinguishing between a lady of your high quality and
a peasant wench, and who spoke to you with a degree of freedom, illbefitting your rank, certainly, and condition, and which, I fear, has given
you offence."
" No offence whatever," replied Alice; "but, good woman, I am near
home, and can excuse your farther company.-You are unknown to me."
"But it follows not," said the stranger, " that your fortunes may not be
known to me, fair Mistress Alice. Look on my swarthy brow -England
breeds none such -and in the lands from which I come, the sun which
blackens our complexion, pours, to make amends, rays of knowledge into
our brains, which are denied to those of your lukewarm climate. Let me
look upon your pretty hand, - [attempting to possess herself of it,] - and
I promise you, you shall hear what will please you."
" I hear what does not please me," said Alice, with dignity; "you must
carry your tricks of fortune-telling and palmistry to the women of the
village - We of the gentry hold them to be either imposture or unlawful
knowledge."
" Yet you would fain hear of a certain Colonel, I warrant you, whom
certain unhappy circumstances have separated from his family; you would
give better than silver if I could assure you that you would see him in a
day or two-ay, perhaps, sooner."
"I know nothing of what you speak, good woman; if you want alms,
there is a piece of silver -it is all I have in my purse."
"It were pity that I should take it," said the female; "and yet give it
me-for the princess in the fairy tale must ever deserve, by her generosity,
the bounty of the benevolent fairy, before she is rewarded by her protection."
"Take it- take it - give me my pitcher," said Alice, "and begone,yonder comes one of my father's servants. -What, ho - Joceline - Joceline!"
The old fortune-teller hastily dropped something into the pitcher as she
restored it to Alice Lee, and, plying her long limbs, disappeared speedily
under cover of the wood.
Bevis turned, and barked, and showed some inclination to harass the
retreat of this suspicious person, yet, as if uncertain, ran towards Joliffe,
and fawned on him, as to demand his advice and encouragement. Joceline
pacified the animal, and, coming up to his young lady, asked her, with
surprise, what was the matter, and whether she had been frightened?
Alice made light of her alarm, for which, indeed, she could not have
assigned any very competent reason, for the manners of the woman, though