Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 2Scott, Walter
History
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 2
Scott, Walter
Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
But, while Edward received Major Melville with politeness and the
clergyman with the most affectionate and grateful kindness, his
father-in-law looked a little awkward, as uncertain how he should
answer the necessary claims of hospitality to his guests, and
forward the festivity of his tenants. Lady Emily relieved him by
intimating that, though she must be an indifferent representative
of Mrs. Edward Waverley in many respects, she hoped the Baron
would approve of the entertainment she had ordered in expectation
of so many guests; and that they would find such other
accommodations provided as might in some degree support the
ancient hospitality of Tully-Veolan. It is impossible to describe
the pleasure which this assurance gave the Baron, who, with an air
of gallantry half appertaining to the stiff Scottish laird and
half to the officer in the French service, offered his arm to the
fair speaker, and led the way, in something between a stride and a
minuet step, into the large dining parlour, followed by all the
rest of the good company.
By dint of Saunderson's directions and exertions, all here, as
well as in the other apartments, had been disposed as much as
possible according to the old arrangement; and where new movables
had been necessary, they had been selected in the same character
with the old furniture. There was one addition to this fine old
apartment, however, which drew tears into the Baron's eyes. It was
a large and spirited painting, representing Fergus Mac-Ivor and
Waverley in their Highland dress, the scene a wild, rocky, and
mountainous pass, down which the clan were descending in the
background. It was taken from a spirited sketch, drawn while they
were in Edinburgh by a young man of high genius, and had been
painted on a full-length scale by an eminent London artist.
Raeburn himself (whose 'Highland Chiefs' do all but walk out of
the canvas) could not have done more justice to the subject; and
the ardent, fiery, and impetuous character of the unfortunate
Chief of Glennaquoich was finely contrasted with the
contemplative, fanciful, and enthusiastic expression of his
happier friend. Beside this painting hung the arms which Waverley
had borne in the unfortunate civil war. The whole piece was beheld
with admiration and deeper feelings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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