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. 527
quarrel. Mr. Hartley, I plight my word to you that you do Richard
wrong."
She said these words with affected calmness, suppressing all appearance
of that displeasure, of which she was evidently sensible, upon this depreciation of a beloved object.
Hartley compelled himself to answer in the same strain.
" Miss Gray," he said, "your actions and motives will always be those
of an angel; but let me entreat you to view this most important matter with
the eyes of worldly wisdom and prudence. Have you well weighed the
risks attending the course which you are taking in favour of a man, who,nay, I will not again offend you-who may, I hope, deserve your favour?"
"When I wished to see you in this manner, Mr. Hartley, and declined a
communication in public, where we could have had less freedom of conversation, it was with the view of telling you every thing. Some pain I thought
old recollections might give, but I trusted it would be momentary; and, as
I desire to retain your friendship, it is proper I should show that I still deserve it. I must then first tell you my situation after my father's death.
In the world's opinion we were always poor, you know; but in the proper
sense I had not known what real poverty was, until I was placed in dependence upon a distant relation of my poor father, who made our relationship
a reason for casting upon me all the drudgery of her household, while she
would not allow that it gave me a claim to countenance, kindness, or anything but the relief of my most pressing wants. In these circumstances I
received from Mr. Middlemas a letter, in which he related his fatal duel,
and its consequences. He had not dared to write to me to share his misery
-Now, when he was in a lucrative situation, under the patronage of a
powerful prince, whose wisdom knew how to prize and protect such Europeans as entered his service-now, when he had every prospect of rendering
our government such essential service by his interest with Hyder Ali, and
might eventually nourish hopes of being permitted to return and stand his
trial for the death of his commanding officer-now, he pressed me to come
to India, and share his reviving fortunes, by accomplishing the engagement
into which we had long ago entered. A considerable sum of money accompanied this letter. Mrs. Duffer was. pointed out as a respectable woman,
who would protect me during the passage. Mrs. Montreville, a lady of
rank, having large possessions and high interest in the Mysore, would receive me on my arrival at Fort St. George, and conduct me safely to the
dominions of Ilyder. It was farther recommended, that, considering the
peculiar situation of Mr. Middlemas, his name should be concealed in the
transaction, and that the ostensible cause of my voyage should be to fill an
office in that lady's family-What was I to do?-My duty to my poor father
was ended, and my other fiiends considered the proposal as too advantageous to be rejected. The references given, the sum of money lodged, were
considered as putting all scruples out of the question, and my immediate
protectress and kinswoman was so earnest that I should accept of the offer
made me, as to intimate that she would not encourage me to stand in my
own light, by continuing to give me shelter and food, (she gave me little
more,) if I was foolish enough to refuse compliance."
"Sordid wretch!" said Hartley, "how little did she deserve such a
charge!"
"Let me speak a proud word, Mr. Hartley, and then you will not perhaps
blame my relations so much. All their persuasions, and even their threats,
would have failed in inducing me to take a step, which has an appearance,
at least, to which I found it difficult to reconcile myself. But I had loved
Middlemas-I love him still-why should I deny it?-and I have not hesitated to trust him. Had it not been for the small still voice which reminded
me of my engagements, I had maintained more stubbornly the pride of womanhood, and, as you would perhaps have recommended, I'might have