The Baron read it with
great attention. 'Sir Everard,' he said, 'always despised wealth in
comparison of honour and birth; and indeed he had 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 passsat 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.
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