"You should be aware, that, like all others, I was ignorant at the time that I placed myself in competition with your lordship, and understood that Miss Neville was in a state of dependence which might make her prefer a competent independence and the hand of an honest man--But I am wasting time--I would I could believe that the views entertained towards her by others were as fair and honest as mine!" "Mr.Oldbuck, you judge harshly." "Not without cause, my lord.

When I only, of all the magistrates of this county--having neither, like some of them, the honour to be connected with your powerful family--nor, like others, the meanness to fear it,-- when I made some inquiry into the manner of Miss Neville's death--I shake you, my lord, but I must be plain--I do own I had every reason to believe that she had met most unfair dealing, and had either been imposed upon by a counterfeit marriage, or that very strong measures had been adopted to stifle and destroy the evidence of a real union.

And I cannot doubt in my own mind, that this cruelty on your lordship's part, whether coming of your own free will, or proceeding from the influence of the late Countess, hurried the unfortunate young lady to the desperate act by which her life was terminated." "You are deceived, Mr.Oldbuck, into conclusions which are not just, however naturally they flow from the circumstances.

Believe me, I respected you even when I was most embarrassed by your active attempts to investigate our family misfortunes.

You showed yourself more worthy of Miss Neville than I, by the spirit with which you persisted in vindicating her reputation even after her death.