I have no occasion to press my sister upon any man.' 'Nor have I any occasion to court repeated rejection from the same young lady,' answered Edward, in the same tone.
'I shall make due inquiry, however,' said the Chieftain, without noticing the interruption, 'and learn what my sister thinks of all this: we will then see whether it is to end here.' 'Respecting such inquiries, you will of course be guided by your own judgement,' said Waverley.

'It is, I am aware, impossible Miss Mac-Ivor can change her mind; and were such an unsupposable case to happen, it is certain I will not change mine.

I only mention this to prevent any possibility of future misconstruction.' Gladly at this moment would Mac-Ivor have put their quarrel to a personal arbitrament;--his eye flashed fire, and he measured Edward as if to choose where he might best plant a mortal wound.

But although we do not now quarrel according to the modes and figures of Caranza or Vincent Saviola, no one knew better than Fergus that there must be some decent pretext for a mortal duel.

For instance, you may challenge a man for treading on your corn in a crowd, or for pushing you up to the wall, or for taking your seat in the theatre; but the modern code of honour will not permit you to found a quarrel upon your right of compelling a man to continue addresses to a female relative, which the fair lady has already refused.