exposed to any temptation from rank and riches, those
main obstacles to the self-denying course of life, by which the
odour of sanctity is attained.

"Here again you break in with your impertinent queries--If I have no
purpose of quarrelling personally with Martigny, why do I come into
collision with him at all?--why not abide by the treaty of
Marchthorn, and remain in England, without again approaching Saint
Ronan's, or claiming my maiden bride?

"Have I not told you, I want him to cease all threatened attempts
upon my fortune and dignity? Have I not told you, that I want to
claim my wife, Clara Mowbray, and my estate of Nettlewood, fairly
won by marrying her?--And, to let you into the whole secret, though
Clara is a very pretty woman, yet she goes for so little in the
transaction with me, her animpassioned bridegroom, that I hope to
make some relaxation of my rights over her the means of obtaining
the concessions which I think most important.

"I will not deny, that an aversion to awakening bustle, and
encountering reproach, has made me so slow in looking after my
interest, that the period will shortly expire, within which I ought,
by old Scrog Mowbray's will, to qualify myself for becoming his
heir, by being the accepted husband of Miss Mowbray of St. Ronan's.
Time was--time is--and, if I catch it not by the forelock as it
passes, time will be no more--Nettlewood will be forfeited--and if I
have in addition a lawsuit for my title, and for Oakendale, I run a
risk of being altogether capotted. I must, therefore, act at all
risks, and act with vigour--and this is the general plan of my
campaign, subject always to be altered according to circumstances. I
have obtained--I may say purchased--Mowbray's consent to address his
sister. I have this advantage, that if she agrees to take me, she
will for ever put a stop to all disagreeable reports and
recollections, founded on her former conduct. In that case I secure
the Nettlewood property, and am ready to wage war for my paternal
estate. Indeed, I firmly believe, that should this happy
consummation take place, Monsieur Martigny will be too much
heart-broken to make further fight, but will e'en throw helve after
hatchet, and run to hide himself, after the fashion of a true lover,
in some desert beyond seas.

"But supposing the