THE BALL.
Ensign Maccombich having gone to the Highland camp upon duty, and Bailie Macwheeble having retired to digest his dinner and Evan Dhu's intimation of martial law in some blind change-house, Waverley, with the Baron and the Chieftain, proceeded to Holyrood House.The two last were in full tide of spirits, and the Baron rallied in his way our hero upon the handsome figure which his new dress displayed to advantage.``If you have any design upon the heart of a bonny Scotch lassie, Iwould premonish you when you address her, to remember and quote the words of Virgilius:---Nunc insanus amor duri me Martis in armis, Tela inter media atque adversos detinet hostes;whilk verses Robertson of Struan, Chief of the Clan Donnochy (unless the claims of Lude ought to be preferred primo loco), has thus elegantly rendered:---For cruel love has gartan'd low my leg, And clad my hurdies in a philabeg.
Although, indeed, ye wear the trews, a garment whilk I approve maist of the twa, as mair ancient and seemly.''
``Or rather,'' said Fergus, ``hear my song:
She wadna hae a Lowland laird, Nor be an English lady;But she's away with Duncan Graeme, And he's rowed her in his plaidy.''
By this time they reached the palace of Holyrood, and were announced respectively as they entered the apartments.
It is but too well known how many gentlemen of rank, education, and fortune, took a concern in the ill-fated and desperate undertaking of 1745.The ladies, also, of Scotland very generally espoused the cause of the gallant and handsome young Prince, who threw himself upon the mercy of his countrymen, rather like a hero of romance than a calculating politician.
It is not, therefore, to be wondered that Edward, who had spent the greater part of his life in the solemn seclusion of Waverley-Honour, should have been dazzled at the liveliness and elegance of the scene now exhibited in the long-deserted halls of the Scottish palace.The accompaniments, indeed, fell short of splendour, being such as the confusion and hurry of the time admitted; still, however, the general effect was striking, and the rank of the company considered, might well be called brilliant.
It was not long before the lover's eye discovered the object of his attachment.Flora Mac-Ivor was in the act of returning to her seat, near the top of the room, with Rose Bradwardine by her side.Among much elegance and beauty, they had attracted a great degree of the public attention, being certainly two of the handsomest women present.The Prince took much notice of both, particularly of Flora, with whom he danced; a preference which she probably owed to her foreign education and command of the French and Italian languages.
When the bustle attending the conclusion of the dance permitted, Edward, almost intuitively, followed Fergus to the place where Miss Mac-Ivor was seated.The sensation of hope with which he had nursed his affection in absence of the beloved object seemed to vanish in her presence, and, like one striving to recover the particulars of a forgotten dream, he would have given the world at that moment to have recollected the grounds on which he had founded expectations which now seemed so delusive.He accompanied Fergus with downcast eyes, tingling ears, and the feelings of the criminal, who, while the melancholy cart moves slowly through the crowds that have assembled to behold his execution, receives no clear sensation either from the noise which fills his ears, or the tumult on which he casts his wandering look.
Flora seemed a little---a very little---affected and discomposed at his approach.``I bring you an adopted son of Ivor,'' said Fergus.
``And I receive him as a second brother,'' replied Flora.
There was a slight emphasis on the word, which would have escaped every ear but one that was feverish with apprehension.
It was, however, distinctly marked, and, combined with her whole tone and manner, plainly intimated, ``I will never think of Mr.Waverley as a more intimate connexion.'' Edward stopped, bowed, and looked at Fergus, who bit his lip; a movement of anger, which proved that he also had put a sinister interpretation on the reception which his sister had given his friend.``This then is an end of my day-dream!'' Such was Waverley's first thought, and it was so exquisitely painful as to banish from his cheek every drop of blood.
``Good God!'' said Rose Bradwardine, ``he is not yet recovered!''
These words, which she uttered with great emotion, were overheard by the Chevalier himself, who stepped hastily forward, and taking Waverley by the hand, inquired kindly after his health, and added, that he wished to speak with him.By a strong and sudden effort, which the circumstances rendered indispensable, Waverley recovered himself so far as to follow the Chevalier in silence to a recess in the apartment.
Here the Prince detained him some time, asking various questions about the great Tory and Catholic families of England, their connexions, their influence, and the state of their affections towards the house of Stuart.To these queries Edward could not at any time have given more than general answers, and it may be supposed that, in the present state of his feelings, his responses were indistinct, even to confusion.The Chevalier smiled once or twice at the incongruity of his replies, but continued the same style of conversation, although he found himself obliged to occupy the principal share of it, until he perceived that Waverley had recovered his presence of mind.It is probable that this long audience was partly meant to further the idea which the Prince desired should be entertained among his followers, that Waverley was a character of political influence.
But it appeared from his concluding expressions, that he had a different and good-natured motive, personal to our hero, for prolonging the conference.``I cannot resist the temptation,''
he said, ``of boasting of my own discretion as a lady's confidant.
