Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
'I am sorry for poor Colonel Gardiner's death: he was once very kind to
me.'
'Why, then, be sorry for five minutes, and then be glad again; his
chance to-day may be ours to-morrow. And what does it signify?--the next
best thing to victory is honourable death; but it is a PIS-ALLER, and
one would rather a foe had it than one's self.'
'But Colonel Talbot has informed me that my father and uncle are both
imprisoned by government on my account.'
'We'll put in bail, my boy; old Andrew Ferrara [See Note 29.] shall
lodge his security; and I should like to see him put to justify it in
Westminster Hall!'
'Nay, they are already at liberty, upon bail of a more civic
disposition.'
'Then why is thy noble spirit cast down, Edward? Dost think that the
Elector's Ministers are such doves as to set their enemies at liberty
at this critical moment, if they could or durst confine and punish them?
Assure thyself that either they have no charge against your relations on
which they can continue their imprisonment, or else they are afraid of
our friends, the jolly cavaliers of old England. At any rate, you need
not be apprehensive upon their account; and we will find some means of
conveying to them assurances of your safety.'
Edward was silenced, but not satisfied, with these reasons. He had now
been more than once shocked at the small degree of sympathy which Fergus
exhibited for the feelings even of those whom he loved, if they did not
correspond with his own mood at the time, and more especially if they
thwarted him while earnest in a favourite pursuit. Fergus sometimes
indeed observed that he had offended Waverley, but, always intent upon
some favourite plan or project of his own, he was never sufficiently
aware of the extent or duration of his displeasure, so that the
reiteration of these petty offences somewhat cooled the volunteer's
extreme attachment to his officer.
The Chevalier received Waverley with his usual favour, and paid him many
compliments on his distinguished bravery. He then took him apart, made
many inquiries concerning Colonel Talbot, and when he had received all
the information which Edward was able to give concerning him and his
connexions, he proceeded,--'I cannot but think, Mr. Waverley, that
since this gentleman is so particularly connected with our worthy and
excellent friend, Sir Everard Waverley, and since his lady is of the
house of Blandeville, whose devotion to the true and loyal principles of
the Church of England is so generally known, the Colonel's own private
sentiments cannot be unfavourable to us, whatever mask he may have
assumed to accommodate himself to the times.'
'If I am to judge from the language he this day held to me, I am under
the necessity of differing widely from your Royal Highness.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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