"I grant," she said, "my good neighbour, that this custom is at least
idle, and may be prejudicial if it leads to excess in the use of
liquor, which is apt enough to take place without such conversation.
But I think, when it hath not this consequence, it is a thing
indifferent, affords a unanimous mode of expressing our good wishes to
our friends, and our loyal duty to our sovereign; and, without meaning
to put any force upon the inclination of those who believe otherwise,
I cannot see how I can deny my guests and friends the privilege of
drinking a health to the King, or to my husband, after the old English
fashion."

"My lady," said the Major, "if the age of fashion were to command it,
Popery is one of the oldest English fashions that I have heard of; but
it is our happiness that we are not benighted like our fathers, and
therefore we must act according to the light that is in us, and not
after their darkness. I had myself the honour to attend the Lord-
Keeper Whitelocke, when, at the table of the Chamberlain of the
kingdom of Sweden, he did positively refuse to pledge the health of
his Queen, Christina, thereby giving great offence, and putting in
peril the whole purpose of that voyage; which it is not to be thought
so wise a man would have done, but that he held such compliance a
thing not merely indifferent, but rather sinful and damnable."

"With all respect to Whitelocke," said the Lady Peveril, "I continue
of my own opinion, though, Heaven knows, I am no friend to riot or
wassail. I would fain accommodate myself to your scruples, and will
discourage all other pledges; but surely those of the King and of
Peveril of the Peak may be permitted?"