Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/82

72 to be found; my mission here will be shortly accomplished.—Is that, madam, your hand?" he added in a softer tone, extending towards Miss Ashton her last letter.

A faultering "Yes," seemed rather to escape from her lips, than to be uttered as a voluntary answer.

"And is this also your hand?" extending towards her the mutual engagement.

Lucy remained silent. Terror, and a yet stronger and more confused feeling, so utterly disturbed her understanding, that she probably scarcely comprehended the question that was put to her.

"If you design," said Sir William Ashton, "to found any legal claim on that paper, sir, do not expect to receive any answer to an extra-judicial question."

"Sir William Ashton," said Ravenswood, "I pray you, and all who hear me, that you will not mistake my purpose. If this young lady, of her own free-will, desires the restoration of this contract, as her letter