Bride of Lammermoor Chapter XXIX

In which the young Bucklaw visits Ravenswood Castle to press his suit to Miss Ashton under the watchful eye of her imposing mother, whose tender demeanour veils an iron will directing the course of her daughter's affections. Lucy Ashton, torn between duty and her own heart, navigates this delicate scene with quiet resignation, tending to her brother's innocent requests even as her thoughts dwell upon the heavy chains of promise and obedience that bind her.