"
He put his handkerchief to his eyes. Ravenswood also was moved, but
awaited in silence the progress of this extraordinary communication.
"It is necessary," continued the Lord Keeper, "and proper that you
should understand, that there have been many points betwixt us, in
which, although I judged it proper that there should be an exact
ascertainment of my legal rights by the decree of a court of justice,
yet it was never my intention to press them beyond the verge of equity."
"My lord," said the Master of Ravenswood, "it is unnecessary to pursue
this topic farther. What the law will give you, or has given you, you
enjoy--or you shall enjoy; neither my father nor I myself would have
received anything on the footing of favour."
"Favour! No, you misunderstand me," resumed the Keeper; "or rather you
are no lawyer. A right may be good in law, and ascertained to be so,
which yet a man of honour may not in every case care to avail himself
of."
"I am sorry for it, my lord," said the Master.
"Nay, nay," retorted his guest, "you speak like a young counsellor;
your spirit goes before your wit.
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