important subject, without the consent of his lady.
"Your mother, my Lucy?" replied Ravenswood; "she is of the house of Douglas, a house that has intermarried with mine, even when its glory and power were at the highest—what could your mother object to my alliance?"
"I did not say object," said Lucy; "but she is jealous of her rights, and may claim a mother's title to be consulted in the first instance."
"Be it so," replied Ravenswood; "London is distant, but a letter will reach it and receive an answer within a fortnight—I will not press on the Lord Keeper for an instant reply to my proposal."
"But," hesitated Lucy, "were it not better to wait—to wait a few weeks—were my mother to see you—to know you—I am sure she would approve; but you are unacquainted personally, and the ancient feud between the families"——
Ravenswood fixed upon her his keen
