, beseeched it. I ought to have torn away the veil which
interested persons had stretched betwixt us, and shown myself as I was, willing
to sacrifice a considerable part even of my legal rights, in order to conciliate
feelings so natural as his must be allowed to have been. Let me say for myself,
my young friend, for so I will call you, that had your father and I spent the
same time together which my good fortune has allowed me to-day to pass in your
company, it is possible the land might yet have enjoyed one of the most
respectable of its ancient nobility, and I should have been spared the pain of
parting in enmity from a person whose general character I so much admired and
honoured.«
    He put his handkerchief to his eyes. Ravenswood also was moved, but awaited
in silence the progress of this extraordinary communication.
    »It is necessary,« continued the Lord Keeper, »and proper that you should
understand, that there have been many points betwixt us, in which, although I
judged it proper that there should be an exact ascertainment of my legal rights
by the decree of a court of justice, yet it was never my intention to press them
beyond the verge of equity.«
    »My lord,« said the Master of Ravenswood, »it is unnecessary to pursue this
topic farther. What the law will give you, or has given you, you enjoy - or you
shall enjoy; neither my father, nor I myself, would have received anything on
the footing of favour.«
    »Favour? - no - you misunderstand me,« resumed the Keeper; »or rather you
are no lawyer. A right may be good in law, and ascertained to be so, which yet a
man of honour may not in every case care to avail himself of.«
    »I am sorry for it, my lord,« said the Master.
    »Nay, nay,« retorted his guest, »you speak like a young counsellor; your
spirit goes before your wit. There are many things still open for decision
betwixt us. Can you blame me, an old man desirous of peace, and in the castle of
a young nobleman who has saved my daughter's life and my own, that I am
desirous, anxiously desirous, that these should be settled on the most liberal
principles?«
    The old man kept fast hold of the Master's passive hand as he spoke, and
made it impossible for him, be his predetermination what it would, to return any
other than an acquiescent reply; and wishing
