DoIranksolowinyouropinion？’’
Farfromit，CaptainWaverley。IwouldtoGodyouwereofourdetermination！andmadeuseoftheexpressionwhichdispleasedyou，solelyBecauseyouarenotofourquality，Butstandagainstusasanenemy。’’
Thattimeispast，sister，’’saidFergus；andyoumaywishEdwardWaverleynolongercaptainjoyofbeingfreedfromtheslaverytoanusurper，impliedinthatsableandill-omenedemblem。’’
Yes，’’saidWaverley，undoingthecockadefromhishat，ithaspleasedthekingwhobestowedthisbadgeuponmetoresumeitinamannerwhichleavesmelittlereasontoregrethisservice。’’
ThankGodforthat！’’criedtheenthusiast；-andOthattheymaybeblindenoughtotreateverymanofhonourwhoservesthemwiththesameindignity，thatImayhavelesstosighforwhenthestruggleapproaches！’’
Andnow，sister，’’saidtheChieftain，replacehiscockadewithoneofamorelivelycolour。Ithinkitwasthefashionoftheladiesofyoretoarmandsendforththeirknightstohighachievement。’’
Not，’’repliedthelady，tilltheknightadventurerhadwellweighedthejusticeandthedangerofthecause，Fergus。Mr。
Waverleyisjustnowtoomuchagitatedbyfeelingsofrecentemotion，formetopressuponhimaresolutionofconsequence。’’
Waverleyfelthalfalarmedatthethoughtofadoptingthebadgeofwhatwasbythemajorityofthekingdomesteemedrebellion，yethecouldnotdisguisehischagrinatthecoldnesswithwhichFloraparriedherbrother’shint。MissMac-Ivor，Iperceive，thinkstheknightunworthyofherencouragementandfavour，’’saidhe，somewhatbitterly。
Notso，Mr。Waverley，’’shereplied，withgreatsweetness。
WhyshouldIrefusemybrother’svaluedfriendaboonwhichIamdistributingtohiswholeclan？MostwillinglywouldI
enlisteverymanofhonourinthecausetowhichmybrotherhasdevotedhimself。ButFergushastakenhismeasureswithhiseyesopen。Hislifehasbeendevotedtothiscausefromhiscradle；withhimitscallissacred，wereitevenasummonstothetomb。ButhowcanIwishyou，Mr。Waverley，sonewtotheworld，sofarfromeveryfriendwhomightadviseandoughttoinfluenceyou-inamomenttooofsuddenpiqueandindignation-howcanIwishyoutoplungeyourselfatonceintosodesperateanenterprise？’’
Fergus，whodidnotunderstandthesedelicacies，strodethroughtheapartmentbitinghislip，andthen，withaconstrainedsmile，said，Well，sister，IleaveyoutoactyournewcharacterofmediatorbetweentheElectorofHanoverandthesubjectsofyourlawfulsovereignandbenefactor，’’andlefttheroom。
Therewasapainfulpause，whichwasatlengthbrokenbyMissMac-Ivor。Mybrotherisunjust，’’shesaid，becausehecanbearnointerruptionthatseemstothwarthisloyalzeal。’’
Anddoyounotsharehisardour？’’askedWaverley。
DoInot？’’answeredFlora-Godknowsmineexceedshis，ifthatbepossible。ButIamnot，likehim，raptbythebustleofmilitarypreparation，andtheinfinitedetailnecessarytothepresentundertaking，beyondconsiderationofthegrandprinciplesofjusticeandtruth，onwhichourenterpriseisgrounded；andtheseIamcertain，canonlybefurtheredbymeasuresinthemselvestrueandjust。Tooperateuponyourpresentfeelings，mydearMr。Waverley，toinduceyoutoanirretrievablestep，ofwhichyouhavenotconsideredeitherthejusticeorthedanger，is，inmypoorjudgment，neithertheonenortheother。’’
IncomparableFlora！’’saidEdward，takingherhand，howmuchdoIneedsuchamonitor？’’
Abetteronebyfar，’’saidFlora，gentlywithdrawingherhand，Mr。Waverleywillalwaysfindinhisownbosom，whenhewillgiveitssmallstillvoiceleisuretobeheard。’’
No，MissMac-Ivor，Idarenothopeit。Athousandcircumstancesoffatalself-indulgencehavemademethecreatureratherofimaginationthanreason。DurstIbuthopecouldI
butthink-thatyouwoulddeigntobetomethataffectionate，thatcondescendingfriend，whowouldstrengthenmetoredeemmyerrors，myfuturelife’’
Hush，mydearsir！nowyoucarryyourjoyatescapingthehandsofaJacobiterecruitingofficertoanunparalleledexcessofgratitude。’’
Nay，dearFlora，triflewithmenolonger；youcannotmistakethemeaningofthosefeelingswhichIhavealmostinvoluntarilyexpressed；andsinceIhavebrokenthebarrierofsilence，letmeprofitbymyaudacity-OrmayI，withyourpermission，mentiontoyourbrother’’
Notfortheworld，Mr。Waverley！’’
WhatamItounderstand？’’saidEdward。Isthereanyfatalbar-hasanyprepossession’’
None，sir，’’answeredFlora。Ioweittomyselftosay，thatIneveryetsawthepersononwhomIthoughtwithreferencetothepresentsubject。’’
Theshortnessofouracquaintance，perhaps-IfMissMac-Ivorwilldeigntogivemetime’’
Ihavenoteventhatexcuse。CaptainWaverley’scharacterissoopen-is，inshort，ofthatnature，thatitcannotbemisconstrued，eitherinitsstrengthoritsweakness。’’
Andforthatweaknessyoudespiseme？’’saidEdward。
Forgiveme，Mr。Waverley，andrememberitisbutwithinthishalfhourthatthereexistedbetweenusabarrierofanaturetomeinsurmountable，sinceInevercouldthinkofanofficerintheserviceoftheElectorofHanoverinanyotherlightthanasacasualacquaintance。Permitmethentoarrangemyideasuponsounexpectedatopic，andinlessthananhourIwillbereadytogiveyousuchreasonsfortheresolutionIshallexpress，asmaybesatisfactoryatleast，ifnotpleasingtoyou。’’Sosaying，Florawithdrew，leavingWaverleytomeditateuponthemannerinwhichshehadreceivedhisaddresses。
Erehecouldmakeuphismindwhethertobelievehissuithadbeenacceptableorno，Fergusre-enteredtheapartment。
What，_lamort，_Waverley？’’hecried。Comedownwithmetothecourt，andyoushallseeasightworthallthetiradesofyourromances。Anhundredfirelocks，myfriend，andasmanybroadswords，justarrivedfromgoodfriends；andtwoorthreehundredstoutfellowsalmostfightingwhichshallfirstpossessthem-Butletmelookatyoucloser-Why，atrueHighlanderwouldsayyouhadbeenblightedbyanevileye-
Orcanitbethissillygirlthathasthusblankedyourspirit？-
Nevermindher，dearEdward；thewisestofhersexarefoolsinwhatregardsthebusinessoflife。’’
Indeed，mygoodfriend，’’answeredWaverley，allthatI
canchargeagainstyoursisteris，thatsheistoosensible，tooreasonable。’’
Ifthatbeall，Iensureyouforalouis-d’oragainstthemoodlastingfour-and-twentyhours。Nowomanwaseversteadilysensibleforthatperiod；andIwillengage，ifthatwillpleaseyou，Florashallbeasunreasonableto-morrowasanyofhersex。Youmustlearn，mydearEdward，toconsiderwomen_enmousquetaire。_’’Sosaying，heseizedWaverley’sarm，anddraggedhimofftoreviewhismilitarypreparations。
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENTH
UPONTHESAMESUBJECT。
FergusMac-Ivorhadtoomuchtactanddelicacytorenewthesubjectwhichhehadinterrupted。Hisheadwas，orappearedtobe，sofullofguns，broadswords，bonnets，canteens，andtartanhose，thatWaverleycouldnotforsometimedrawhisattentiontoanyothertopic。
Areyoutotakethefieldsosoon，Fergus，’’heasked，thatyouaremakingallthesemartialpreparations？’’
Whenwehavesettledthatyougowithme，youshallknowall；butotherwise，theknowledgemightratherbeprejudicialtoyou。’’
Butareyouseriousinyourpurpose，withsuchinferiorforces，toriseagainstanestablishedgovernment？Itismerefrenzy。’’
_LaissezfaireDonAntoine_-Ishalltakegoodcareofmyself。WeshallatleastusethecomplimentofConan，whonevergotastrokebuthegaveone。Iwouldnot，however，’’
continuedtheChieftain，haveyouthinkmemadenoughtostirtillafavourableopportunity：Iwillnotslipmydogbeforethegame’safoot。Butoncemore，willyoujoinwithusandyoushallknowall？’’
HowcanI？’’saidWaverley；Iwhohavesolatelyheldthatcommissionwhichisnowpostingbacktothosethatgaveit？Myacceptingitimpliedapromiseoffidelity，andanacknowledgmentofthelegalityofthegovernment。’’
Arashpromise，’’answeredFergus，isnotasteelhandcuff；
itmaybeshakenoff，especiallywhenitwasgivenunderdeception，andhasbeenrepaidbyinsult。Butifyoucannotimmediatelymakeupyourmindtoagloriousrevenge，gotoEngland，andereyoucrosstheTweed，youwillheartidingsthatwillmaketheworldring；andifSirEverardbethegallantoldcavalierIhaveheardhimdescribedbysomeofourhonestgentlemenoftheyearonethousandsevenhundredandfifteen，hewillfindyouabetterhorse-troopandabettercausethanyouhavelost。’’
Butyoursister，Fergus？’’
Out，hyperbolicalfiend，’’repliedtheChief，laughing；howvexestthouthisman！-Speakestthouofnothingbutofladies？’’
Nay，beserious，mydearfriend，’’saidWaverley；IfeelthatthehappinessofmyfuturelifemustdependupontheanswerwhichMissMac-IvorshallmaketowhatIventuredtotellherthismorning。’’
Andisthisyourverysoberearnest，’’saidFergus，moregravely，orareweinthelandofromanceandfiction？’’
Myearnest，undoubtedly。Howcouldyousupposemejestingonsuchasubject？’’
Then，inverysoberearnest，’’answeredhisfriend，Iamverygladtohearit；andsohighlydoIthinkofFlora，thatyouaretheonlymaninEnglandforwhomIwouldsaysomuch-Butbeforeyoushakemyhandsowarmly，thereismoretobeconsidered-Yourownfamily-willtheyapproveyourconnectingyourselfwiththesisterofahigh-bornHighlandbeggar？’’
Myuncle’ssituation，’’saidWaverley，hisgeneralopinions，andhisuniformindulgence，entitlemetosay，thatbirthandpersonalqualitiesareallhewouldlooktoinsuchaconnexion。
AndwherecanIfindbothunitedinsuchexcellenceasinyoursister？’’
Onowhere！_celavasansdire，_’’repliedFerguswithasmile。Butyourfatherwillexpectafather’sprerogativeinbeingconsulted。’’
Surely；buthislatebreachwiththerulingpowersremovesallapprehensionofobjectiononhispart，especiallyasIamconvincedthatmyunclewillbewarminmycause。’’
Religion，perhaps，’’saidFergus，maymakeobstacles，thoughwearenotbigotedCatholics。’’
MygrandmotherwasoftheChurchofRome，andherreligionwasneverobjectedtobymyfamily-Donotthinkofmyfriends，dearFergus；letmeratherhaveyourinfluencewhereitmaybemorenecessarytoremoveobstacles-Imeanwithyourlovelysister。’’
Mylovelysister，’’repliedFergus，likeherlovingbrother，isveryapttohaveaprettydecisivewillofherown，bywhich，inthiscase，youmustberuled；butyoushallnotwantmyinterestnormycounsel。And，inthefirstplace，Iwillgiveyouonehint-Loyaltyisherrulingpassion；andsinceshecouldspellanEnglishbook，shehasbeeninlovewiththememoryofthegallantCaptainWogan，whorenouncedtheserviceoftheusurperCromwelltojointhestandardofCharlesII。，marchedahandfulofcavalryfromLondontotheHighlandstojoinMiddleton，theninarmfortheking，andatlengthdiedgloriouslyintheroyalcause。Askhertoshowyousomeversesshemadeonhishistoryandfate；theyhavebeenmuchadmired，Iassureyou。ThenextpointisIthinkIsawFloragouptowardsthewaterfallashorttimesince-follow，man，follow！
don’tallowthegarrisontimetostrengthenitspurposesofresistance-_Alertelamuraille！_SeekFloraout，andlearnherdecisionassoonasyoucan-andCupidgowithyou，whileI
gotolookoverbeltsandcartouch-boxes。’’
Waverleyascendedtheglenwithananxiousandthrobbingheart。Love，withallitsromantictrainofhopes，fears，andwishes，wasmingledwithotherfeelingsofanaturelesseasilydefined。Hecouldnotbutrememberhowmuchthismorninghadchangedhisfate，andintowhatacomplicationofperplexityitwaslikelytoplungehim。Sunrisehadseenhimpossessedofanesteemedrankinthehonourableprofessionofarms，hisfathertoallappearancerapidlyrisinginthefavourofhissovereign；-allthishadpassedawaylikeadream-hehimselfwasdishonoured，hisfatherdisgraced，andhehadbecomeinvoluntarilytheconfidantatleast，ifnottheaccomplice，ofplansdark，deep，anddangerous，whichmustinfereithersubversionofthegovernmenthehadsolatelyserved，orthedestructionofallwhohadparticipatedinthem。ShouldFloraevenlistentohissuitfavourably，whatprospectwasthereofitsbeingbroughttoahappytermination，amidthetumultofanimpendinginsurrection？OrhowcouldhemaketheselfishrequestthatsheshouldleaveFergus，towhomshewassomuchattached，and，retiringwithhimtoEngland，wait，asadistantspectator，thesuccessofherbrother’sundertaking，ortheruinofallhishopesandfortunes！-Or，ontheotherhand，toengagehimself，withnootheraidthanhissinglearm，inthedangerousandprecipitatecounselsoftheChieftain，-tobewhirledalongbyhim，thepartakerofallhisdesperateandimpetuousmotions，-renouncingalmostthepowerofjudging，ordecidingupontherectitudeorprudenceofhisactions，-thiswasnopleasingprospectforthesecretprideofWaverleytostoopto。Andyetwhatotherconclusionremained，savingtherejectionofhisaddressesbyFlora，analternativenottobethoughtofinthepresenthigh-wroughtstateofhisfeelings，withanythingshortofmentalagony。Ponderingthedoubtfulanddangerouspro。