``I forgive your reproach, Colonel Talbot; it is well meant, and your education and prejudices render it natural.But there is nothing extraordinary in finding a man, whose honour has been publicly and unjustly assailed, in the situation which promised most fair to afford him satisfaction on his calumniators.''
``I should rather say, in the situation most likely to confirm the reports which they have circulated,'' said Colonel Talbot, ``by following the very line of conduct ascribed to you.Are you aware, Mr.Waverley, of the infinite distress and even danger, which your present conduct has occasioned to your nearest relatives?''
``Danger!''
``Yes, sir, danger.When I left England, your uncle and father had been obliged to find bail to answer a charge of treason, to which they were only admitted by the exertion of the most powerful interest.I came down to Scotland, with the sole purpose of rescuing you from the gulf into which you have precipitated yourself; nor can I estimate the consequences to your family of your having openly joined the rebellion, since the very suspicion of your intention was so perilous to them.
Most deeply do I regret that I did not meet you before this last and fatal error.''
``I am really ignorant,'' said Waverley in a tone of reserve, ``why Colonel Talbot should have taken so much trouble on my account.''
``Mr.Waverley,'' answered Talbot, ``I am dull at apprehending irony; and therefore I shall answer your words according to their plain meaning.I am indebted to your uncle for benefits greater than those which a son owes to a father.Iacknowledge to him the duty of a son; and as I know there is no manner in which I can requite his kindness so well as by serving you, I will serve you, if possible, whether you will permit me or no.The personal obligation which you have this day laid me under (although in common estimation as great as one human being can bestow on another) adds nothing to my zeal on your behalf; nor can that zeal be abated by any coolness with which you may please to receive it.''
``Your intentions may be kind, sir,'' said Waverley, drily;``but your language is harsh, or at least peremptory.''
``On my return to England,'' continued Colonel Talbot, ``after long absence, I found your uncle, Sir Everard Waverley, in the custody of a kings messenger, in consequence of the suspicion brought upon him by your conduct.He is my oldest friend---how often shall I repeat it?---my best benefactor; he sacrificed his own views of happiness to mine---he never uttered a word, he never harboured a thought, that benevolence itself might not have thought or spoken.I found this man in confinement, rendered harsher to him by his habits of life, his natural dignity of feeling, and---forgive me, Mr.Waverley---by the cause through which this calamity had come upon him.Icannot disguise from you my feelings upon this occasion; they were most painfully unfavourable to you.Having, by my family interest, which you probably know is not inconsiderable, succeeded in obtaining Sir Everard's release, I set out for Scotland.I saw Colonel Gardiner, a man whose fate alone is sufficient to render this insurrection for ever execrable.In the course of conversation with him, I found, that, from late circumstances, from a re-examination of the persons engaged in the mutiny, and from his original good opinion of your character, he was much softened towards you; and I doubted not, that if I could be so fortunate as to discover you all might yet be well.But this unnatural rebellion has ruined all.I have, for the first time, in a long and active military life, seen Britons disgrace themselves by a panic flight, and that before a foe without either arms or discipline! and now I find the heir of my dearest friend---the son, I may say, of his affections ---sharing a triumph, for which he ought the first to have blushed.
Why should I lament Gardiner? his lot was happy, compared to mine!''
There was so much dignity in Colonel Talbot's manner, such a mixture of military pride and manly sorrow, and the news of Sir Everard's imprisonment was told in so deep a tone of feeling, that Edward stood mortified, abashed, and distressed, in presence of the prisoner, who owed to him his life not many hours before.He was not sorry when Fergus interrupted their conference a second time.
``His Royal Highness commands Mr.Waverley's attendance.''
Colonel Talbot threw upon Edward a reproachful glance, which did not escape the quick eye of the Highland Chief.``His _immediate_ attendance,'' he repeated, with considerable emphasis.Waverley turned again towards the Colonel.
``We shall meet, again,'' he said; ``in the meanwhile, every possible accommodation''---``I desire none,'' said the Colonel; ``let me fare like the meanest of those brave men, who, on this day of calamity, have preferred wounds and captivity to flight; I would almost exchange places with one of those who have fallen, to know that my words have made a suitable impression on your mind.''
``Let Colonel Talbot be carefully secured,'' said Fergus to the Highland officer, who commanded the guard over the prisoners;``It is the Prince's particular command; he is a prisoner of the utmost importance.''
``But let him want no accommodation suitable to his rank,''
said Waverley.
``Consistent always with secure custody,'' reiterated Fergus.
The officer signified his acquiescence in both commands, and Edward followed Fergus to the garden-gate, where Callum Beg, with three saddle-horses, awaited them.Turning his head, he saw Colonel Talbot reconducted to his place of confinement by a file of Highlanders; he lingered on the threshold of the door, and made a signal with his hand towards Waverley, as if enforcing the language he had held towards him.
``Horses,'' said Fergus, as he mounted, ``are now as plenty as blackberries; every man may have them for the catching.
Come, let Callum adjust your stirrups, and let us to Pinkie-house<*> as fast as these ci-divant dragoon-horses choose * Charles Edward took up his quarters after the battle at Pinkie-house, * adjoining to Musselburgh.
to carry us.''