He stood suspended, for he saw the difficulty and impropriety of withdrawing himself from the Countess and his friend at this moment of impending danger; and yet, to neglect this invitation was not to be thought of.

He paused in the utmost perplexity.
"Shall I read your riddle ?" said the Earl.

"Go where love calls you--I will make an excuse to my mother--only, most grave anchorite, be hereafter more indulgent to the failings of others than you have been hitherto, and blaspheme not the power of the little deity." "Nay, but, Cousin Derby--" said Peveril, and stopped short, for he really knew not what to say.

Secured himself by a virtuous passion from the contagious influence of the time, he had seen with regret his noble kinsman mingle more in its irregularities than he approved of, and had sometimes played the part of a monitor.

Circumstances seemed at present to give the Earl a right of retaliation.