Donald Bean, who had served in France, knew, and perhaps over-estimated the value of these trinkets.But he also perceived Rose's apprehensions of its being discovered that she had parted with her jewels for Waverley's liberation.Resolved this scruple should not part him and the treasure, he voluntarily offered to take an oath that he would never mention Miss Rose's share in the transaction; and foreseeing convenience in keeping the oath, and no probable advantage in breaking it, he took the engagement---in order, as he told his lieutenant, to deal handsomely by the young lady---in the only form and mode which, by a mental paction with himself, he considered as binding---he swore secrecy upon his drawn dirk.He was the more especially moved to this act of good faith by some attentions that Miss Bradwardine showed to his daughter Alice, which, while they gained the heart of the mountain damsel, highly gratified the pride of her father.Alice, who could now speak a little English, was very communicative in return for Rose's kindness, readily confided to her the whole papers respecting the intrigue with Gardiner's regiment, of which she was the depositary, and as readily undertook, at her instance, to restore them to Waverley without her father's knowledge.``For they may oblige the bonnie young lady and the handsome young gentleman,'' said Alice, ``and what use has my father for a wheen bits o' scarted paper?''
The reader is aware that she took an opportunity of executing this purpose on the eve of Waverley's leaving the glen.
How Donald executed his enterprise, the reader is aware.
But the expulsion of the military from Tully-Veolan had given alarm, and, while he was lying in wait for Gilfillan, a strong party, such as Donald did not care to face, was sent to drive back the insurgents in their turn, to encamp there, and to protect the country.The officer, a gentleman and a disciplinarian, neither intruded himself on Miss Bradwardine, whose unprotected situation he respected, nor permitted his soldiers to commit any breach of discipline.He formed a little camp, upon an eminence near the house of Tully-Veolan, and placed proper guards at the passes in the vicinity, This unwelcome news reached Donald Bean Lean as he was returning to Tully-Veolan.
Determined, however, to obtain the guerdon of his labour, he resolved, since approach to Tully-Veolan was impossible, to deposit his prisoner in Janet's cottage---a place the very existence of which could hardly have been suspected even by those who had long lived in the vicinity, unless they had been guided thither, and which was utterly unknown to Waverley himself.This effected, he claimed and received his reward.Waverley's illness was an event which deranged all their calculations.Donald was obliged to leave the neighbourhood with his people, and to seek more free course for his adventures elsewhere.At Rose's earnest entreaty, he left an old man, a herbalist, who was supposed to understand a little of medicine, to attend Waverley during his illness.
In the meanwhile, new and fearful doubts started in Rose's mind.They were suggested by old Janet, who insisted, that a reward having been offered for the apprehension of Waverley, and his own personal effects being so valuable, there was no saying to what breach of faith Donald might be tempted.In an agony of grief and terror, Rose took the daring resolution of explaining to the Prince himself the danger in which Mr.
Waverley stood, judging that, both as a politician, and a man of honour and humanity, Charles Edward would interest himself to prevent his falling into the hands of the opposite party.
This letter she at first thought of sending anonymously, but naturally feared it would not, in that case, be credited.She therefore subscribed her name, though with reluctance and terror, and consigned it in charge to a young man, who, at leaving his farm to join the Chevalier's army, made it his petition to her to have some sort of credentials to the Adventurer, from whom he hoped to obtain a commission.