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. 513
enforce the rights of a legitimate child? The silence and death of Moncada
broke my plans, and it was then only I reconciled myself to the thoughts
of India."
" You were very young to have known so much of the Scottish law, at
the time when we were first acquainted," said Hartley. "But I can guess
your instructor."
" No less authority than Tom HIillary's," replied Middlemas. " His good
counsel on that head is a reason why I do not now prosecute him to the
gallows."
"I judged as much," replied Hartley; "for I heard him, before I left
Middlemas, debating the point with Mr. Lawford; and I recollect perfectly,
that he stated the law to be such as you now lay down."
" And what said Lawford in answer?" demanded Middlemas.
" He admitted," replied Hartley, "that in circumstances where the case
was doubtful, such presumptions of legitimacy might be admitted. But he
said they were liable to be controlled by positive and precise testimony, as, for
instance, the evidence of the mother declaring the illegitimacy of the child."
" But there can exist none such in my case," said Middlemas hastily, and
with marks of alarm.
" I will not deceive you, Mr. Middlemas, though I fear I cannot help
giving you pain. I had yesterday a long conference with ypur mother, Mrs.
Witherington, in which she acknowledged you as her son, but a son born
before marriage. This express declaration will, therefore, put an end to
the suppositions on which you ground your lopes. If you please, you may
hear the contents of her declaration, which I have in her own handwriting."
"Confusion! is the cup to be for ever dashed from my lips?" muttered
Richard; but recovering his composure, by exertion of the self-command,
of which he possessed so large a portion, he desired Hartley to proceed with
his communication. Hartley accordingly proceeded to inform him of the
particulars preceding his birth, and those which followed after it; while
Middlemas, seated on a sea-chest, listened with inimitable composure to a
tale which went to root up the flourishing hopes of wealth which he had
lately so fondly entertained.
Zilia Moncada was the only child of a Portuguese Jew of great wealth,
who had come to London, in prosecution of his commerce. Among the
few Christians who frequented his house, and occasionally his table, was
Richard Tresham, a gentleman of a high Northumbrian family, deeply engaged in the service of Charles Edward during his short invasion, and
though holding a commission in the Portuguese service, still an object of
suspicion to the British government, on account of his well-known courage
and Jacobitical principles. The high-bred elegance of this gentleman,
together with his complete acquaintance with the Portuguese language and
manners, had won the intimacy of old Monqada, and, alas! the heart of the
inexperienced Zilia, who, beautiful as an angel, had as little knowledge of
the world and its wickedness as the lamb that is but a week old.
Tresham made his proposals to Monqada, perhaps in a manner which too
evidently'showed that he conceived the high-born Christian was degrading
himself in asking an alliance with the wealthy Jew. Monqada rejected
his proposals, forbade him his house, but could not prevent the lovers from
meeting in private. Tresham made a dishonourable use of the opportunities
which the poor Zilia so incautiously afforded, and the consequence was her
ruin. The lover, however, had every purpose of righting the injury which
he had inflicted, and, after various plans of secret marriage, which were
rendered abortive by the difference of religion, and other circunstances,
flight for Scotland was determined on. The hurry of the journey, the fear
and anxiety to which Zilia was subjected, brought on her confinement several
weeks before the usual time, so that they were compelled to accept of the
VOL. X.-33