The splendid romance of “The Pirate” was published in the beginning of December 1821; and “The Fortunes of Nigel” on the 30th May 1822, followed in June by the dramatic sketch of “Halidon Hill.” For the copyright of the last Constable paid Scott the sum of £1000. “Nigel” took its place amongst the first of Scott’s romances, and on publication was eagerly sought after. According to a letter of Constable, “so keenly were the people devouring my friend _Jingling Geordie_” (George Heriot, one of the leading characters in the story), “that I actually saw them reading it in the streets” (of London) “as they passed along.” At this time the profits of the author’s works were estimated at from £10,000 to £15,000 a year, and Ballantyne’s presses were taxed to their utmost. In addition to the ordinary work of the office, he had also in hand for Constable a reprint of Scott’s Poetical Works, miniature edition, ten vols., 5000 copies; Novels and Tales, twelve vols., miniature edition, 5000 copies; Historical Romances, six vols., 5000 copies; Poetry from “Waverley,” &c., one vol., 5000 copies—equal to 145,000 volumes; to which from thirty to forty thousand may be added as the result of Scott’s daily industry within the space of twelve months. “Peveril of the Peak” appeared in January 1823. The work was at first rather coldly received, but was finally pronounced not unworthy of Scott’s pen. “Quentin Durward” followed in June, and attained great popularity. In this novel he had, for the first time, ventured on foreign ground, and the French public were seized with a frenzy of delight, to find that Louis XI. and Charles the Bold had started into life again under the wand of the Northern Magician. The excitement in Paris equalled that of Edinburgh under the influence of the first appearance of “Waverley,” or that of London under the spell of “Ivanhoe.” Constable during this year completed the purchase from Scott of the copyright of the Waverley Novels, for which he had paid up to this time the sum of £22,000, in addition to Scott’s half-share of profits of the early editions. The novel of “St. Ronan’s Well” was published in December 1823.