I have now an excellent commentary upon that obscure text.' 'I am at a loss even to guess at your meaning, Colonel Mac-Ivor, unless it seems plain that you intend to fasten a quarrel upon me.' 'Your affected ignorance shall not serve you, sir.

The Prince,--the Prince himself, has acquainted me with your manoeuvres, I little thought that your engagements with Miss Bradwardine were the reason of your breaking off your intended match with my sister.

I suppose the information that the Baron had altered the destination of his estate, was quite a sufficient reason for slighting your friend's sister, and carrying off your friend's mistress.' 'Did the Prince tell you I was engaged to Miss Bradwardine ?' said Waverley.

'Impossible.' 'He did, sir,' answered Mac-Ivor; 'so, either draw and defend yourself, or resign your pretensions to the lady.' 'This is absolute madness,' exclaimed Waverley, 'or some strange mistake!' 'Oh! no evasion! draw your sword!' said the infuriated Chieftain,--his own already unsheathed.
'Must I fight in a madman's quarrel ?' 'Then give up now, and for ever, all pretensions to Miss Bradwardine's hand.' 'What title have you,' cried Waverley, utterly losing command of himself,--'What title have you, or any man living, to dictate such terms to me ?' And he also drew his sword.
At this moment the Baron of Bradwardine, followed by several of his troop, came up on the spur, some from curiosity, others to take part in the quarrel, which they indistinctly understood had broken out between the Mac-Ivors and their corps.

The clan, seeing them approach, put themselves in motion to support their Chieftain, and a scene of confusion commenced, which seemed likely to terminate in bloodshed.
A hundred tongues were in motion at once.