Having once taken his resolution, the Master of Ravenswood was not of a character to hesitate or pause upon it.

He abandoned himself to the pleasure he felt in Miss Ashton's company, and displayed an assiduous gallantry which approached as nearly to gaiety as the temper of his mind and state of his family permitted.

The Lord Keeper was much struck with his depth of observation, and the unusual improvement which he had derived from his studies.

Of these accomplishments Sir William Ashton's profession and habits of society rendered him an excellent judge; and he well knew how to appreciate a quality to which he himself was a total stranger--the brief and decided dauntlessness of the Master of Ravenswood's fear.

In his heart the Lord Keeper rejoiced at having conciliated an adversary so formidable, while, with a mixture of pleasure and anxiety, he anticipated the great things his young companion might achieve, were the breath of court-favour to fill his sails.
"What could she desire," he thought, his mind always conjuring up opposition in the person of Lady Ashton to his new prevailing wish--"what could a woman desire in a match more than the sopiting of a very dangerous claim, and the alliance of a son-in-law, noble, brave, well-gifted, and highly connected; sure to float whenever the tide sets his way; strong, exactly where we are weak, in pedigree and in the temper of a swordsman?
Sure, no reasonable woman would hesitate.