Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/40

30 reflection, would, in all probability, have been equally indifferent. He knew what all accounted the principal point, that her parents and friends, namely, were decidedly in his favour, and that there existed most powerful reasons for their predilection.

In truth, the conduct of the Marquis of A, since Ravenswood's departure, had been such as almost to bar the possibility of his kinsman's union with Lucy Ashton. The Marquis was Ravenswood's sincere, but misjudging friend; or rather, like many friends and patrons, he consulted what he considered to be his relation's true interest, although he knew that in doing so he run counter to his inclinations.

The Marquis drove on, therefore, with the plenitude of ministerial authority, an appeal in the Scottish Parliament against those judgments of the courts of law, by which Sir William became possessed of Ravenswood's hereditary property. As this measure was enforced with all the authority of power, it was exclaimed against