My sole wish was, that this young man should not enter blindfold on the same perils; and I had a right to warn him, since the feelings by which he is hoodwinked had a direct reference to me." "'Tis well, minion," said Bridgenorth, "you have spoken your say.

Retire, and let me complete the conference which you have so considerately commenced." "I go, sir," said Alice.--"Julian, to you my last words are, and I would speak them with my last breath--Farewell, and caution!" She turned from them, disappeared among the underwood, and was seen no more.
"A true specimen of womankind," said her father, looking after her, "who would give the cause of nations up, rather than endanger a hair of her lover's head .-- You, Master Peveril, doubtless, hold her opinion, that the best love is a safe love!" "Were danger alone in my way," said Peveril, much surprised at the softened tone in which Bridgenorth made this observation, "there are few things which I would not face to--to--deserve your good opinion." "Or rather to win my daughter's hand," said Bridgenorth.

"Well, young man, one thing has pleased me in your conduct, though of much I have my reasons to complain--one thing _has_ pleased me.

You have surmounted that bounding wall of aristocratical pride, in which your father, and, I suppose, his fathers, remained imprisoned, as in the precincts of a feudal fortress--you have leaped over this barrier, and shown yourself not unwilling to ally yourself with a family whom your father spurns as low-born and ignoble." However favourable this speech sounded towards success in his suit, it so broadly stated the consequences of that success so far as his parents were concerned, that Julian felt it in the last degree difficult to reply.

At length, perceiving that Major Bridgenorth seemed resolved quietly to await his answer, he mustered up courage to say, "The feelings which I entertain towards your daughter, Master Bridgenorth, are of a nature to supersede many other considerations, to which in any other case, I should feel it my duty to give the most reverential attention.