Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/29

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THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR.
19

Her victim answered in a tremulous and hollow voice—"I have promised to obey you,—but upon one condition."

"She means," said Lady Ashton, turning to Bucklaw, "she expects an answer to the demand which she has made upon the man at Vienna, or Ratisbon, or Paris,—or where is he—the restitution of the engagement in which he had the art to involve her. You will not, I am sure, my dear friend, think it is wrong that she should feel much delicacy upon this head; indeed, it concerns us all."

"Perfectly right—quite fair," said Bucklaw, half humming, half speaking the end of the old song—


'It is best to be off wi' the old love
Before you be on wi' the new.'


"But I thought," said he, pausing, "you might have had an answer six times told from Ravenswood. D—n me if I have