Without expressing either surprise or displeasure at the change in Waverley's manner, Major Melville proceeded composedly to put several other queries to him.``What does it avail me to answer you?'' said Edward sullenly.``You appear convinced of my guilt, and wrest every reply I have made to support your own preconceived opinion.Enjoy your supposed triumph, then, and torment me no further.If I am capable of the cowardice and treachery your charge burdens me with, I am not worthy to be believed in any reply I can make to you.If I am not deserving of your suspicion---and God and my own conscience bear evidence with me that it is so---then I do not see why I should by my candour lend my accusers arms against my innocence.There is no reason I should answer a word more, and I am determined to abide by this resolution.'' And again he resumed his posture of sullen and determined silence.
``Allow me,'' said the magistrate, ``to remind you of one reason that may suggest the propriety of a candid and open confession.
The inexperience of youth, Mr.Waverley, lays it open to the plans of the more designing and artful; and one of your friends at least---I mean Mac-Ivor of Glennaquoich---ranks high in the latter class, as from your apparent ingenuousness, youth, and unacquaintance with the manners of the Highlands, Ishould be disposed to place you among the former.In such a case, a false step or error like yours, which I shall be happy to consider as involuntary, may be atoned for, and I would willingly act as intercessor.But as you must necessarily be acquainted with the strength of the individuals in this country who have assumed arms, with their means, and with their plans, I must expect you will merit this mediation on my part by a frank and candid avowal of all that has come to your knowledge upon these heads.In which case, I think I can venture to promise that a very short personal restraint will be the only ill consequence that can arise from your accession to these unhappy intrigues.''
Waverley listened with great composure until the end of this exhortation, when, springing from his seat, with an energy he had not yet displayed, he replied, ``Major Melville, since that is your name, I have hitherto answered your questions with candour, or declined them with temper, because their import concerned myself alone; but as you presume to esteem me mean enough to commence informer against others, who received me, whatever may be their public misconduct, as a guest and friend,---I declare to you that I consider your questions as an insult infinitely more offensive than your calumnious suspicions; and that, since my hard fortune permits me no other mode of resenting them than by verbal defiance, you should sooner have my heart out of my bosom, than a single syllable of information on subjects which I could only become acquainted with in the full confidence of unsuspecting hospitality.''
Mr.Morton and the Major looked at each other; and the former, who, in the course of the examination, had been repeatedly troubled with a sorry rheum, had recourse to his snuff-box and his handkerchief.
``Mr.Waverley,'' said the Major, ``my present situation prohibits me alike from giving or receiving offence, and I will not protract a discussion which approaches to either.I am afraid I must sign a warrant for detaining you in custody, but this house shall for the present be your prison.I fear I cannot persuade you to accept a share of our supper?---(Edward shook his head)---but I will order refreshments in your apartment.''
Our hero bowed and withdrew, under guard of the officers of justice, to a small but handsome room, where, declining all offers of food or wine, he flung himself on the bed, and stupified by the harassing events and mental fatigue of this miserable day, he sunk into a deep and heavy slumber.This was more than he himself could have expected; but it is mentioned of the North American Indians, when at the stake of torture, that on the least intermission of agony, they will sleep until the fire is applied to awaken them.