CHAPTER XXVII.

UPON THE SAME SUBJECT,

FERGUS MAC-IVOR had too much tact and delicacy to renew the subject which he had in-terrupted. His head was, or appeared to be, so full of guns, broad-swords, bonnets, canteens, and tartan hose, that Waverley could not for some time draw his attention to any other topic.

'Are you to take the field so soon, Fergus, that you are making all these martial preparations?'

'When we have settled that you go with me, you shall know all; but otherwise the knowledge might rather be prejudicial to you.'

But are you serious in your purpose, with such inferiour forces, to rise against an established government? It is mere phrensy.'

Laisses faire a Don Antoine-I shall take good care of myself. We shall at least use the compliment of Conan, who never got a stroke but he gave one. I would not, however, have you think me mad enough to stir till a favourable opportunity: I will not slip my dog before the game's a-foot.-But, once more, will you join with us, and you shall know all?'

How can I? I, who have so lately held that commission which is now posting back to those that gave it. My accepting it implied a promise of fidelity, and an acknowledgment of the legality of the government.'

'A rash promise is not a steel handcuff; it may be shaken off, especially when it was given under deception, and has been repaid by insult. But if you cannot immediately make up your mind to a glorious revenge, go to England, and ere you cross the Tweed you will hear tidings that will make the world ring; and if Sir Everard be the gallant old cavalier I have heard him described by some of our honest gentlemen of the year one thousand seven hundred and fifteen, he will find you a better horse-troop and a better cause than you have lost.'

'But your sister, Fergus ??

"Out, hyperbolical fiend! how vexest thou this man!-Speakest thou of nothing but of ladies?'

Nay, be serious, my dear friend; I feel that the happiness of my future life must depend upon the answer which Miss Mac-Ivor shall make to what I ventured to tell her this morning.'

And is this your very sober earnest, or are we in the land of romance and fiction?'

6

My earnest, undoubtedly. How could you suppose me jesting on such a subject?'

Then, in very sober earnest, I am very glad to hear of it; and so highly do I think of Flora, that you are the only man in England for whom I would say so much.-But before you shake my hand so warmly, there is more to be considered -Your own family, will they approve your connecting yourself with the sister of a high-born Highland beggar?'

My uncle's situation, his general opinions, and his uniform indulgence, entitle me to say, that birth and personal qualities are all he would look to in such a connexion. And where can I find both united in such excellence as in your sister?"

"O no where!-cela va sans dire. But your father will expect a father's prerogative in being consulted.'

'Surely; but his late breach with the ruling powers removes all apprehension of objection on his part, especially as I am convinced that my uncle will be warm in my cause.'

Religion perhaps though we are not bigotted Catholics.'

6 My mother was of the church of Rome, and her religion was never objected to by my family. -Do not think of my friends, dear Fergus; let me rather have your influence where it may be more necessary to remove obstacles-1 mean with your lovely sister.?

'My lovely sister, like her loving brother, is very apt to have a pretty decisive will of her own, by which, in this case, you must be ruled 1; but you shall not want my interest, nor my counsel. And, in the first place, I will give you one hint-Loyalty is her ruling passion; and since she could spell an English book, she has been in love with the memory of the gallant Captain Wogan, who renounced the service of the usurper Cromwell to join the standard of Charles II. marched a handful of cavalry from London to the Highlands to join Middleton, then in arms for the king, and at length died gloriously in the royal cause. Ask her to shew you some verses she made on his history and fate;, they have been much admired, I assure you. The next point is -I think I saw Flora go up towards the water-fall a short time since-follow, man, follow!-don't allow the garrison time to strengthen its purposes of resistance-Alerte a la muraille! Seek Flora out, and learn her decision as soon as you

can, and Cupid go with you, while I go to look over belts and cartouch-boxes."

Waverley ascended the glen with an anxious and throbbing heart. Love, with all its romantic train of hopes, fears, and wishes, was mingled with other feelings of a nature less easily defined. He could not but remember how much this morning had changed his fate, and into what a complication of perplexity it was likely to plunge him. Sun-rise had seen him possessed of an esteemed rank in the honourable profession of arms, his father to all appearance rapidly rising in the favour of his sovereign;-all this had passed away like a dream-he himself was dishonoured, his father disgraced, and he had become involuntarily the confidant at least, if not the accomplice, of plans, dark, deep, and dangerous, which must infet either the subversion of the government he had so lately served, or the destruction of all who had participated in them. Should Flora even listen to his suit favourably, what prospect was there of its being brought to a happy termination amid the tumult of an impending insurrection? Or howcould he make the selfish request that she should leave Fergus, to whom she was so much attached, and, retiring with him to England, wait, as a distant spectator, the success of her brother's undertaking, or the ruin of all his hopes and fortunes?-Or, on the other hand, to engage himself, with no other aid than his single arm, in the dangerous and precipitate councils of the Chieftain,— to be whirled along by him, the partaker of all his desperate and impetuous motions, renouncing almost the power of judging, or deciding upon the rectitude or prudence of his actions, this was no pleasing prospect for the secret pride of Waver

ley to stoop to. And yet what other conclusion remained, saving the rejection of his addresses by Flora, an alternative not to be thought of, in the present high-wrought state of his feelings, with any thing short of mental agony. Pondering the doubtful and dangerous prospect before him, he at length arrived near the cascade, where, as Fergus had augured, he found Flora seated.

She was quite alone, and as soon as she observ. ed his approach, she rose and came to meet him. Edward attempted to say something within the verge of ordinary compliment and conversation, but found himself unequal to the task. Flora seemed at first equally embarrassed, but recovered herself more speedily, and (an unfavourable augury for Waverley's suit) was the first to enter upon the subject of their last interview. It is too important, in every point of view, Mr. Waverley, to permit me to leave you in doubt upon my sentiments.'

Do not speak them speedily, unless they are such as I fear, from your manner, I must not dare to anticipate. Let time-let my future conduct -let your brother's influence'

Forgive me, Mr. Waverley. I should incur my own heavy censure did I delay expressing my sincere conviction that I can never regard you otherwise than as a valued friend. I should do you the highest injustice did I conceal my sentiments for a moment-I see I distress you, and I grieve for it, but better now than later; and O better a thousand times, Mr. Waverley, that you should feel a present momentary disappointment, than the long and heart-sickening griefs which attend a rash and ill-assorted marriage !'