Is this quite fair ?" "It is what happens in every case, my lord, where a gentleman proposes for a lady," answered Mowbray; "he must remain, of course, bound by his offer, until, within a reasonable time, it is accepted or rejected.

It is not my fault that your lordship has declared your wishes to me, before ascertaining Clara's inclination.

But while as yet the matter is between ourselves--I make you welcome to draw back if you think proper.
Clara Mowbray needs not push for a catch-match." "Nor do I desire," said the young nobleman, "any time to reconsider the resolution which I have confided to you.

I am not in the least fearful that I shall change my mind on seeing your sister, and I am ready to stand by the proposal which I have made to you .-- If, however, you feel so extremely delicately on my account," he continued, "I can see and even converse with Miss Mowbray at this fete of yours, without the necessity of being at all presented to her--The character which I have assumed in a manner obliges me to wear a mask." "Certainly," said the Laird of St.Ronan's, "and I am glad, for both our sakes, your lordship thinks of taking a little law upon this occasion." "I shall profit nothing by it," said the Earl; "my doom is fixed before I start--but if this mode of managing the matter will save your conscience, I have no objection to it--it cannot consume much time, which is what I have to look to." They then shook hands and parted, without any farther discourse which could interest the reader.
Mowbray was glad to find himself alone, in order to think over what had happened, and to ascertain the state of his own mind, which at present was puzzling even to himself.

He could not but feel that much greater advantages of every kind might accrue to himself and his family from the alliance of the wealthy young Earl, than could have been derived from any share of his spoils which he had proposed to gain by superior address in play, or greater skill on the turf.