The affectionate simplicity of Rose, and her anxiety for his safety---his sense too of her unprotected state, and of the terror and actual dangers to which she might be exposed, made an impression upon his mind, and he instantly wrote to thank her in the kindest terms for her solicitude on his account, to express his earnest good wishes for her welfare and that of her father, and to assure her of his own safety.The feelings which this task excited were speedily lost in the necessity which he now saw of bidding farewell to Flora Mac-Ivor, perhaps for ever.
The pang attending this reflection was inexpressible; for her high-minded elevation of character, her self-devotion to the cause which she had embraced, united to her scrupulous rectitude as to the means of serving it, had vindicated to his judgment the choice adopted by his passions.But time pressed, calumny was busy with his fame, and every hour's delay increased the power to injure it.His departure must be instant.
With this determination he sought out Fergus, and communicated to him the contents of Rose's letter, with his own resolution instantly to go to Edinburgh, and put into the hands of some one or other of those persons of influence to whom he had letters from his father, his exculpation from any charge might be preferred against him.
``You run your head into the lion's mouth,'' answered Mac-Ivor.
``You do not know the severity of a Government harassed by just apprehensions, and a consciousness of their own illegality and insecurity.I shall have to deliver you from some dungeon in Stirling or Edinburgh Castle.''
``My innocence, my rank, my father's intimacy with Lord M------, General G------, etc., will be a sufficient protection,''
said Waverley.
``You will find the contrary,'' replied the Chieftain; ``these gentlemen will have enough to do about their own matters.
Once more, will you take the plaid, and stay a little while with us among the mists and the crows, in the bravest cause ever sword was drawn in?''<*>
* A Highland rhyme on Glencairn's Expedition, in 1650, has these * lines---*
* We'll bide a while among ta crows, * We'll wiske ta sword and bend ta bows ``For many reasons, my dear Fergus, you must hold me excused.''
``Well, then,'' said Mac-Ivor, ``I shall certainly find you exerting your poetical talents in elegies upon a prison, or your antiquarian researches in detecting the Oggam<*> character, or * The Oggam is a species of the old Irish character.The idea of the * correspondence betwixt the Celtic and Punic, founded on a scene in Plautus, * was not started till General Vallancey set up his theory, long after the * date of Fergus Mac-Ivor.
some Punic hieroglyphic upon the key-stones of a vault, curiously arched.Or what say you to _un petit pendement bien joli?_ against which awkward ceremony I don't warrant you, should you meet a body of the armed west-country Whigs.''
``And why should they use me so?'' said Waverley.
``For a hundred good reasons,'' answered Fergus: ``First, you are an Englishman; secondly, a gentleman; thirdly, a Prelatist abjured; and fourthly, they have not had an opportunity to exercise their talents on such a subject this long while.But don't be cut down, beloved: all will be done in the fear of the Lord.''
``Well, I must run my hazard.''
``You are determined, then?''
``I am.''
``Wilful will do't,'' said Fergus,---``but you cannot go on foot, and I shall want no horse, as I must march on foot at the head of the children of Ivor; you shall have Brown Dermid.''
``If you will sell him, I shall certainly be much obliged.''
``If your proud English heart cannot be obliged by a gift or loan, I will not refuse money at the entrance of a campaign;his price is twenty guineas.[Remember, reader, it was Sixty Years since.] And when do you propose to depart?''
``The sooner the better,'' answered Waverley.
``You are right, since go you must, or rather, since go you will: I will take Flora's pony, and ride with you as far as Bally-Brough.---Callum Beg, see that our horses are ready, with a pony for yourself, to attend and carry Mr.Waverley's baggage as far as ------ (naming a small town), where he can have a horse and guide to Edinburgh.Put on a Lowland dress, Callum, and see you keep your tongue close, if you would not have me cut it out; Mr.Waverley rides Dermid.'' Then turning to Edward, ``You will take leave of my sister?''
``Surely---that is, if Miss Mac-Ivor will honour me so far.''
``Cathleen, let my sister know that Mr.Waverley wishes to bid her farewell before he leaves us.---But Rose Bradwardine---her situation must be thought of.I wish she were here.And why should she not? There are but four red-coats at Tully-Veolan, and their muskets would be very useful to us.''
To these broken remarks Edward made no answer; his ear indeed received them, but his soul was intent upon the expected entrance of Flora.The door opened---it was but Cathleen, with her lady's excuse, and wishes for Captain Waverley's health and happiness.