Ravenswoodsheathedhissword，uncockedandreturnedhispistoltohisbelt；walkeddeliberatelytothedooroftheapartment，whichhebolted；returned，raisedhishatfromhisforehead，andgazinguponLucywitheyesinwhichanexpressionofsorrowovercametheirlatefierceness，spreadhisdishevelledlocksbackfromhisface，andsaid，”Doyouknowme，MissAshton？IamstillEdgarRavenswood。”Shewassilent，andhewentonwithincreasingvehemence:”IamstillthatEdgarRavenswoodwho，foryouraffection，renouncedthedeartiesbywhichinjuredhonourboundhimtoseekvengeance。IamthatRavenswoodwho，foryoursake，forgave，nay，claspedhandsinfriendshipwith，theoppressorandpillagerofhishouse，thetraducerandmurdererofhisfather。””Mydaughter，”answeredLadyAshton，interruptinghim，”hasnooccasiontodisputetheidentityofyourperson；thevenomofyourpresentlanguageissufficienttoremindherthatshespeakswiththemoralenemyofherfather。””Iprayyoutobepatient，madam，”answeredRavenswood；”myanswermustcomefromherownlips。Oncemore，MissLucyAshton，IamthatRavenswoodtowhomyougrantedthesolemnengagementwhichyounowdesiretoretractandcancel。”
Lucy’sbloodlesslipscouldonlyfalteroutthewords，”Itwasmymother。””Shespeakstruly，”saidLadyAshton，”itWASIwho，authorisedalikebythelawsofGodandman，advisedher，andconcurredwithher，tosetasideanunhappyandprecipitateengagement，andtoannulitbytheauthorityofScriptureitself。””Scripture！”saidRavenswood，scornfully。”Lethimhearthetext，”saidLadyAshton，appealingtothedivine，”onwhichyouyourself，withcautiousreluctance，declaredthenullityofthepretendedengagementinsisteduponbythisviolentman。”
TheclergymantookhisclaspedBiblefromhispocket，andreadthefollowingwords:”IfawomanvowavowuntotheLord，andbindherselfbyabond，beinginherfather’shouseinheryouth，andherfatherhearhervow，andherbondwherewithshehathboundhersoul，andherfathershallholdhispeaceather；
thenallhervowsshallstand，andeveryvowwherewithshehathboundhersoulshallstand。””Andwasitnotevensowithus？”interrruptedRavenswood。”Controlthyimpatience，youngman，”answeredthedivine，”andhearwhatfollowsinthesacredtext:’Butifherfatherdisallowherinthedaythatheheareth，notanyofhervows，orofherbondswherewithshehathboundhersoul，shallstand；andtheLordshallforgiveher，becauseherfatherdisallowedher。””Andwasnot，”saidLadyAshton，fiercelyandtriumphantlybreakingin——”wasnotoursthecasestatedintheHolyWrit？
Willthispersondeny，thattheinstantherparentsheardofthevow，orbond，bywhichourdaughterhadboundhersoul，wedisallowedthesameinthemostexpressterms，andinformedhimbywritingofourdetermination？””Andisthisall？”saidRavenswood，lookingatLucy。”Areyouwillingtobarterswornfaith，theexerciseoffreewill，andthefeelingsofmutualaffectiontothiswretchedhypocriticalsophistry？””Hearhim！”saidLadyAshton，lookingtotheclergyman——”heartheblasphemer！””MayGodforgivehim，”saidBide-the-Bent，”andenlightenhisignorance！””HearwhatIhavesacrificedforyou，”saidRavenswood，stilladdressingLucy，”ereyousanctionwhathasbeendoneinyourname。Thehonourofanancientfamily，theurgentadviceofmybestfriends，havebeeninvainusedtoswaymyresolution；