 the Marquis, »now that we are quit
of that impertinent fiddler, that I had tried to discuss this love affair of
yours with Sir William Ashton's daughter. I never saw the young lady but for a
few minutes to-day; so, being a stranger to her personal merits, I pay a
compliment to you, and offer her no offence, in saying you might do better.«
    »My lord, I am much indebted for the interest you have taken in my affairs,«
said Ravenswood. »I did not intend to have troubled you in any matter concerning
Miss Ashton. As my engagement with that young lady has reached your lordship, I
can only say, that you must necessarily suppose that I was aware of the
objections to my marrying into her father's family, and of course must have been
completely satisfied with the reasons by which these objections are
overbalanced, since I have proceeded so far in the matter.«
    »Nay, Master, if you had heard me out,« said his noble relation, »you might
have spared that observation; for without questioning that you had reasons which
seemed to you to counterbalance every other obstacle, I set myself, by every
means that it became me to use towards the Ashtons, to persuade them to meet
your views.«
    »I am obliged to your lordship for your unsolicited intercession,« said
Ravenswood; »especially as I am sure your lordship would never carry it beyond
the bounds which it became me to use.«
    »Of that,« said the Marquis, »you may be confident; I myself felt the
delicacy of the matter too much to place a gentleman nearly connected with my
house in a degrading or dubious situation with these Ashtons. But I pointed out
all the advantages of their marrying their daughter into a house so honourable,
and so nearly related with the first in Scotland; I explained the exact degree
of relationship in which the Ravenswoods stand to ourselves; and I even hinted
how political matters were like to turn, and what cards would be trumps next
Parliament. I said I regarded you as a son - or a nephew, or so - rather than as
a more distant relation; and that I made your affair entirely my own.«
    »And what was the issue of your lordship's explanation?« said Ravenswood, in
some doubt whether he should resent or express gratitude for his interference.
    »Why, the Lord Keeper would have listened to reason,« said the Marquis; »he
is rather unwilling to leave his place, which, in the present view
