Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/211

Rh you perfectly capable of attending," returned the indignant lady, "and even to the dignity of your family also—But as mine happens to be inextricably involved with it, you will excuse me if I chuse to give my own attention so far as that is concerned."

"What would you have, Lady Ashton?" said the husband—"What is it that displeases you? Why is it, that on your return after so long an absence, I am arraigned in this manner?"

"Ask your own conscience, Sir William, what has prompted you to become a renegade to your political party and opinions, and led you, for what I know, to be on the point of marrying your only daughter to a beggarly Jacobite bankrupt, the inveterate enemy of your family to the boot."

"Why, what, in the name of common sense and common civility, would you have me do, madam?" answered her husband—"Is it possible for me, with ordinary decency, to turn a young gentleman out of