The Baron read it with great
attention. 'Sir Everard,' he said, 'always despised wealth in comparison
of honour and birth; and indeed he hath no occasion to court the Diva
Pecunia. Yet I now wish, since this Malcolm turns out such a parricide,
for I can call him no better, as to think of alienating the family
inheritance--I now wish (his eyes fixed on a part of the roof which was
visible above the trees) that I could have left Rose the auld
hurley-house and the riggs belanging to it. And yet,' said he, resuming
more cheerfully, 'it's maybe as weel as it is; for, as Baron of
Bradwardine, I might have thought it my duty to insist upon certain
compliances respecting name and bearings, whilk now, as a landless laird
wi' a tocherless daughter, no one can blame me for departing from.'
'Now, Heaven be praised!' thought Edward,'that Sir Everard does not hear
these scruples! The three ermines passant and rampant bear would
certainly have gone together by the ears.' He then, with all the ardour
of a young lover, assured the Baron that he sought for his happiness only
in Rose's heart and hand, and thought himself as happy in her father's
simple approbation as if he had settled an earldom upon his daughter.
Pages:
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853