THE BETROTHED appeared in June 1825 as one of the "Tales of the
Crusaders." On account of certain scruples of James Ballantyne and Mr
Constable, Sir Walter had nearly consented to cancel the sheets,
after the tale, excepting the two last chapters, had been printed off.
Subsequently, he consented to prepare the tale of the "Talisman"
which might accompany its entrance into the world. Both tales appeared
together, and their success left nothing to be desired.
The accompanying illustration represents a striking scene in the novel.
While the monk and the Fleming slept soundly under the shade of the
battlement, Eveline Berenger could forbear no longer in breaking
silence. "Men, my beloved Rose," she said, "are happy; their anxious
thoughts were either diverted by toil, or drowned in the insensibility
which follows it; they may encounter wounds or death, but women feel a
keener anguish than the body knows; and in the gnawing sense of present
ill, and fear of future misery, suffer a living death more cruel than
that which ends our woes at once." In vain Rose endeavoured to assuage
her grief; she answered, "You have a father to fight and watch for you;
mine-my kind, noble, and honoured parent, lies dead on yonder field."
So saying, she sunk down on the banquette, murmuring to herself, "He
is gone for ever!" One hand grasped unconsciously the weapon which she
held, and served at the same time to prop her forehead, while tears, by
which she was now relieved, flowed in torrents from her eyes, and
her sobs seemed so convulsive, that Rose almost feared her heart was
bursting.
[Illustration: 110-111]
[Illustration: 112]