And, to leave this miserable
driveller without a pretence for his cowardice, the Prince asks if as
a personal favour of me, forsooth, not to press my just and reasonable
request at this moment. After this, put your faith in princes!'
'And did your audience end here?'
'End? Oh, no! I was determined to leave him no pretence for his
ingratitude, and I therefore stated, with all the composure I could
muster,--for I promise you I trembled with passion,--the particular
reasons I had for wishing that his Royal Highness would impose upon me
any other mode of exhibiting my duty and devotion, as my views in life
made, what at any other time would have been a mere trifle, at this
crisis a severe sacrifice; and then I explained to him my full plan.'
'And what did the Prince answer?'
'Answer? why--it is well it is written, Curse not the king; no, not in
thy thought!--why, he answered, that truly he was glad I had made him my
confidant, to prevent more grievous disappointment, for he could assure
me, upon the word of a prince, that Miss Bradwardine's affections were
engaged, and he was under a particular promise to favour them. "So, my
dear Fergus," said he, with his most gracious cast of smile, "as the
marriage is utterly out of question, there need be no hurry, you know,
about the earldom.
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