The amiable Rose was next mentioned, with the warmest encomium on her person, manners, and mind.``That man,''
said Flora, ``will find an inestimable treasure in the affections of Rose Bradwardine who shall be so fortunate as to become their object.Her very soul is in home, and in the discharge of all those quiet virtues of which home is the centre.Her husband will be to her what her father now is---the object of all her care, solicitude, and affection.She will see nothing, and connect herself with nothing, but by him and through him.If he is a man of sense and virtue, she will sympathise in his sorrows, divert his fatigue, and share his pleasures.If she becomes the property of a churlish or negligent husband, she will suit his taste also, for she will not long survive his unkindness.And, alas, how great is the chance that some such unworthy lot may be that of my poor friend!---O that I were a queen this moment, and could command the most amiable and worthy youth of my kingdom to accept happiness with the hand of Rose Bradwardine!''
``I wish you would command her to accept mine _en attendant,_''
said Fergus laughing.
I don't know by what caprice it was that this wish, however jocularly expressed, rather jarred on Edward's feelings, notwithstanding his growing inclination to Flora, and his indifference to Miss Bradwardine.This is one of the inexplicabilities of human nature, which we leave without comment.
``Yours, brother?'' answered Flora, regarding him steadily.
``No; you have another bride---Honour; and the dangers you must run in pursuit of her rival would break poor Rose's heart.''
With this discourse they reached the castle, and Waverley soon prepared his despatches for Tully-Veolan.As he knew the Baron was punctilious in such matters, he was about to impress his billet with a seal on which his armorial bearings were engraved, but he did not find it at his watch, and thought he must have left it at Tully-Veolan.He mentioned his loss, borrowing at the same time the family seal of the Chieftain.
``Surely,'' said Miss Mac-Ivor, ``Donald Bean Lean would not''------``My life for him in such circumstances,'' answered her brother;``besides, he would never have left the watch behind.''
``After all, Fergus,'' said Flora, ``and with every allowance, I am surprised you can countenance that man.''
``I countenance him!---This kind sister of mine would persuade you, Captain Waverley, that I take what the people of old used to call a `steakraid,' that is, a `collop of the foray,' or, in plainer words, a portion of the robber's booty, paid by him to the Laird or Chief through whose grounds he drove his prey.
O, it is certain, that unless I can find some way to charm Flora's tongue, General Blakency will send a sergeant's party from Stirling (this he said with haughty and emphatic irony) to seize Vich Ian Vohr, as they nickname me, in his own castle.''
``Now, Fergus, must not our guest be sensible that all this is folly and affectation? You have men enough to serve you without enlisting banditti, and your own honour is above taint.
---Why don't you send this Donald Bean Lean, whom I hate for his smoothness and duplicity even more than for his rapine, out of your country at once? No cause should induce me to tolerate such a character.''
``_No_ cause, Flora?'' said the Chieftain significantly.
``No cause, Fergus! not even that which is nearest to my heart.Spare it the omen of such evil supporters!''
``O but, sister,'' rejoined the Chief gaily, ``you don't consider my respect for _la belle passion._ Evan Dhu Maccombich is in love with Donald's daughter, Alice, and you cannot expect me to disturb him in his amours.Why, the whole clan would cry shame on me.You know it is one of their wise sayings that a kinsman is part of a man's body, but a foster-brother is a piece of his heart.''
``Well, Fergus, there is no disputing with you; but I would all this may end well.''
``Devoutly prayed, my dear and prophetic sister, and the best way in the world to close a dubious argument.---But hear ye not the pipes, Captain Waverley? Perhaps you will like better to dance to them in the hall, than to be deafened with their harmony without taking part in the exercise they invite us to.''
Waverley took Flora's hand.The dance, song, and merry-making proceeded, and closed the day's entertainment at the castle of Vich Ian Vohr.Edward at length retired, his mind agitated by a variety of new and conflicting feelings, which detained him from rest for some time, in that not unpleasing state of mind in which fancy takes the helm, and the soul rather drifts passively along with the rapid and confused tide of reflections, than exerts itself to encounter, systematise, or examine them.At a late hour he fell asleep, and dreamed of Flora Mac-Ivor.
