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.

THE SURGEON'S DAUGHTER. 459
golden age) into the hand of the Doctor, as an earnest of the most liberal
recompense, and requested he would spare no expense in providing all that
was necessary or desirable for a person in the lady's condition, and for the
helpless being to whom she might immediately be expected to give birth.
He then said he would retire to the inn, where he begged a message might
instantly acquaint him with the expected change in the lady's situation.
1' She is of rank," he said, " and a foreigner; let no expense be spared.
We designed to have reached Edinburgh, but were forced to turn off the
road by an accident." Once more he said, " Let no expense be spared, and
manage that she may travel as soon as possible."
"That," said the Doctor, "is past my control. Nature must not be
hurried, and she avenges herself of every attempt to do so."
"But art," said the stranger, "can do much," and he proffered a second
purse, which seemed as heavy as the first.
" Art," said the Doctor, " may be recompensed, but cannot be purchased.
You have already paid me more than enough to take the utmost care I can
of your lady; should I accept more money, it could only be for promising,
by implication at least, what is beyond my power to perform. Every possible care shall be taken of your lady, and that affords the best chance of
her being speedily able to travel.-Now, go you to the inn, sir, for I may
be instantly wanted, and we have not yet provided either an attendant for
the lady, or a nurse for the child; but both shall be presently done."
" Yet a moment, Doctor-what languages do you understand?"
" Latin and French I can speak indifferently, and so as to be understood;
and I read a little Italian."
"But no Portuguese or Spanish?" continued the stranger.
"No, sir."
"That is unlucky. But you may make her understand you by means of
French. Take notice, you are to comply with her request in everythingif you want means to do so, you may apply to me."
" May I ask, sir, by what name the lady is to be""It is totally indifferent," said the stranger, interrupting the question;
"You shall know it at more leisure."
So saying, he threw his ample cloak about him, turning himself half
round to assist the operation, with an-air which the Doctor would have
found it difficult to imitate, and walked down the street to the little inn.
Here he paid and dismissed the postilions, and shut himself up in an apartment, ordering no one to be admitted till the Doctor should call.
The Doctor, when he returned to his patient's apartment, found his wife
in great surprise, which, as is usual with persons of her character, was not
unmixed with fear and anxiety.
"She cannot speak a word like a Christian being," said Mrs. Gray.
" I know it," said the Doctor.
"But she threeps to keep on a black fause-face, and skirls if we offer to
take it away."
" Well then, let her wear it-What harm will it do?"
" Harm, Doctor!" Was ever honest woman brought to bed with a fauseface on?"
"Seldom, perhaps. But, Jean, my dear, those who are not quite honest
must be brought to bed all the same as those who are, and we are not to
endanger the poor thing's life by contradicting her whims at present."
Approaching the sick woman's bed, he observed that she indeed wore a
thin silk mask, of the kind which do such uncommon service in the elder
comedy; such as women of rank still wore in travelling, but certainly never
in the situation of this poor lady. It would seem she had sustained importunity on the subject, for whenshe saw the Doctor, she put her hand to her
face, as if she was afraid he would insist on pulling off the vizard.
lie hastened to say, in tolerable French, that her will should be a law to