St. Ronan's Well Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 edition. Excerpt: ...to the grave, and the making which public he considered might be some atonement for his errors. From an honoured place in the land, I descend voluntarily to become a nameless exile; for, once certain that Clara Mowbray's peace ii assured, Britain no longer holds me.--All this I do, sir, not in any idle strain of overheated feeling, but seeing and knowing, and dearly valuing, every advantage which I renounce--yet I do it, and do it willingly, rather than be the cause of further evil to one, 'onwhom I have already brought too--too much." His voice, in spite of his exertions, faultered as he concluded the sentence, and a big drop which rose to his eye, required him for the moment to turn towards the window. "I am ashamed of this childishness," he said, turning again to Captain Jekyl; " if it exciteayour ridicule sir, let it be at least a proof of my sincerity." " I am far from entertaining such sentiments," said Jekyl, respectfully--for, in a long train of fashionable follies, his heart had not been utterly hardened--" very far indeed. To a proposal so singular as yours I cannot be expected to answer--except thus far--the character of the peerage is, I believe, indelible, and cannot be resigned or assumed at pleasure. If you are really Earl of Etherington, I cannot see how your resigning the right may avail my friend." " You, sir, it might not avail," said Tyrrel, gravely, " because you, perhaps, might scorn to exercise a right, or hold a title, that was not legally yours. But your friend will have no such compunctious visitings. If he can act the Earl to the eye of the world, he has already shown that his honour and conscience will be easily satisfied." " May I take a copy of the memorandum, containing this list of documents," said Captain Jekyl, ..".