[Illustration: LUCY AND THE MASTER--"THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR" COURTESY, THE PAGE COMPANY FROM THE PAINTING BY SIR J. E. MILLAIS] The Bride of Lammermoor SIX Edgar, Master of Ravenswood, was the son of Allan, Lord Ravenswood. His father had fought in the Revolution of 1688, and his side had been vanquished. For this his title had been abolished and his estate taken from him. He had fought hard for his rights in the courts, but in vain, and at length he died breathing curses on Sir William Ashton, who became owner of the estates. Edgar, the son, penniless and proud, had vowed vengeance on the family of Sir William Ashton. However, in spite of this, he fell in love with Lucy, Sir William's daughter. They became engaged secretly. "Ravenswood found Lucy seated alone by the ruin.... "'I like this spot,' said Lucy at length, as if she had found the silence embarrassing: 'the bubbling murmur of the clear fountain, the waving of the trees, the profusion of grass and wild-flowers, that rise among the ruins, make it like a scene in romance. I think, too, I have heard it is a spot connected with the legendary lore which I love so well.' "'It has been thought,' answered Ravenswood, 'a fatal spot to my family; and I have some reason to term it so, for it was here I first saw Miss Ashton--and it is here I must take my leave of her for ever.' "'To take leave of us, Master!' she exclaimed; 'what can have happened to hurry you away?--I know Alice hates--I mean dislikes, my father--and I hardly understood her humor to-day, it was so mysterious. But I am certain my father is sincerely grateful for the high service you rendered us. Let us hope that having won your friendship hardly, we shall not lose it lightly.' "'Lose it, Miss Ashton?' said the Master of Ravenswood. 'No--wherever my fortune calls me--whatever she inflicts upon me--it is your friend--your sincere friend, who acts or suffers. But there is a fate on me, and I must go, or I shall add the ruin of others to my own.' "'Yet do not go from us. Master,' said Lucy; and she laid her hand, in all simplicity and kindness, upon the skirt of his cloak, as if to detain him. 'You shall not part from us. My father is powerful, he has friends that are more so than himself--do not go till you see what his gratitude will do for you. Believe me, he is already laboring in your behalf with the Council.' "'It may be so,' said the Master proudly; 'yet it is not to your father, Miss Ashton, but to my own exertions, that I ought to owe success in the career on which I am about to enter. My preparations are already made--a sword and a cloak, and a bold heart and a determined hand.'