Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
'We understand, that "this same RICHARD, who hath done all this," is
not the only example of the WAVERING HONOUR of W-v-rl-y H-n-r. See the
GAZETTE of this day.'
With hurried and feverish apprehension our hero turned to the place
referred to, and found therein recorded, 'Edward Waverley, captain
in--regiment dragoons, superseded for absence without leave:' and in
the list of military promotions, referring to the same regiment, he
discovered this further article, 'Lieut. Julius Butler, to be captain,
vice Edward Waverley, superseded.'
Our hero's bosom glowed with the resentment which undeserved and
apparently premeditated insult was calculated to excite in the bosom
of one who had aspired after honour, and was thus wantonly held up to
public scorn and disgrace. Upon comparing the date of his colonel's
letter with that of the article in the GAZETTE, he perceived that his
threat of making a report upon his absence had been literally fulfilled,
and without inquiry, as it seemed, whether Edward had either received
his summons, or was disposed to comply with it. The whole, therefore,
appeared a formed plan to degrade him in the eyes of the public; and the
idea of its having succeeded filled him with such bitter emotions, that,
after various attempts to conceal them, he at length threw himself into
Mac-Ivor's arms, and gave vent to tears of shame and indignation.
It was none of this Chieftain's faults to be indifferent to the wrongs
of his friends; and for Edward, independent of certain plans with which
he was connected, he felt a deep and sincere interest. The proceeding
appeared as extraordinary to him as it had done to Edward. He indeed
knew of more motives than Waverley was privy to, for the peremptory
order that he should join his regiment. But that, without further
inquiry into the circumstances of a necessary delay, the commanding
officer, in contradiction to his known and established character, should
have proceeded in so harsh and unusual a manner, was a mystery which he
could not penetrate. He soothed our hero, however, to the best of
his power, and began to turn his thoughts on revenge for his insulted
honour.
Edward eagerly grasped at the idea. 'Will you carry a message for me to
Colonel Gardiner, my dear Fergus, and oblige me for ever?'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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