"Napier's Life of Montrose."
"And do you like it?"
"Indeed I do."
"And you like Montrose?"
"Certainly I like him."
"I could have sworn it. Do you remember his verses to the lady of his heart?"
"That I do," said Fanny Euston,—
| "'Like Alexander I will reign, And I will reign alone; My heart shall evermore disdain A rival on my throne. He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who puts it not unto the touch, To win or lose it all. "'But if thou wilt be constant then, And faithful of thy word, I'll make thee famous by my pen, And glorious by my sword; I'll serve thee in such noble ways Was never heard before; I'll dress and crown thee all with bays, And love thee evermore.'" |
"Admirable! I thought I had a good memory, but you beat me hollow. You repeat the lines as if you liked them."
"Who would not like them?"