Waverley escaped the alarm which this accident would have occasioned to him, as he was unavoidably delayed by the necessity of accompanying Colonel Talbot to Edinburgh.
They performed the journey together on horseback, and for some time, as if to sound each other’s feelings and sentiments, they conversed10 upon general and ordinary topics.
When Waverley again entered upon the subject which he had most at heart, the situation, namely, of his father and his uncle, Colonel Talbot seemed now rather desirous to alleviate11 than to aggravate12 his anxiety. This appeared particularly to be the case when he heard Waverley’s history, which he did not scruple13 to confide14 to him.
‘And so,’ said the Colonel,‘there has been no malice15 prepense, as lawyers, I think, term it, in this rash step of yours; and you have been trepanned into the service of this Italian knight-errant by a few civil speeches from him and one or two of his Highland4 recruiting sergeants17? It is sadly foolish, to be sure, but not nearly so bad as I was led to expect. However, you cannot desert, even from the Pretender, at the present moment; that seems impossible. But I have little doubt that, in the dissensions incident to this heterogeneous18 mass of wild and desperate men, some opportunity may arise, by availing yourself of which you may extricate19 yourself honourably20 from your rash engagement before the bubble burst. If this can be managed, I would have you go to a place of safety in Flanders which I shall point out. And I think I can secure your pardon from government after a few months’ residence abroad.’
‘I cannot permit you, Colonel Talbot,’ answered Waverley, ‘to speak of any plan which turns on my deserting an enterprise in which I may have engaged hastily, but certainly voluntarily, and with the purpose of abiding21 the issue.’
‘Well,’ said Colonel Talbot, smiling, ‘leave me my thoughts and hopes at least at liberty, if not my speech. But have you never examined your mysterious packet?’
‘It is in my baggage,’ replied Edward; ‘we shall find it in Edinburgh.’
In Edinburgh they soon arrived. Waverley’s quarters had been assigned to him, by the Prince’s express orders, in a handsome lodging22, where there was accommodation for Colonel Talbot. His first business was to examine his portmanteau, and, after a very short search, out tumbled the expected packet. Waverley opened it eagerly. Under a blank cover, simply addressed to E. Waverley, Esq., he found a number of open letters. The uppermost were two from Colonel Gardiner addressed to himself. The earliest in date was a kind and gentle remonstrance23 for neglect of the writer’s advice respecting the disposal of his time during his leave of absence, the renewal24 of which, he reminded Captain Waverley, would speedily expire. ‘Indeed,’ the letter proceeded, ‘had it been otherwise, the news from abroad and my instructions from the War Office must have compelled me to recall it, as there is great danger, since the disaster in Flanders, both of foreign invasion and insurrection among the disaffected25 at home. I therefore entreat26 you will repair as soon as possible to the headquarters of the regiment27; and I am concerned to add that this is still the more necessary as there is some discontent in your troop, and I postpone28 inquiry29 into particulars until I can have the advantage of your assistance.’
The second letter, dated eight days later, was in such a style as might have been expected from the Colonel’s receiving no answer to the first. It reminded Waverley of his duty as a man of honour, an officer, and a Briton; took notice of the increasing dissatisfaction of his men, and that some of them had been heard to hint that their Captain encouraged and approved of their mutinous30 behaviour; and, finally, the writer expressed the utmost regret and surprise that he had not obeyed his commands by repairing to headquarters, reminded him that his leave of absence had been recalled, and conjured31 him, in a style in which paternal32 remonstrance was mingled33 with military authority, to redeem34 his error by immediately joining his regiment. ‘That I may be certain,’ concluded the letter, ‘that this actually reaches you, I despatch35 it by Corporal Tims of your troop, with orders to deliver it into your own hand.’
Upon reading these letters Waverley, with great bitterness of feeling, was compelled to make the amende honorable to the memory of the brave and excellent writer; for surely, as Colonel Gardiner must have had every reason to conclude they had come safely to hand, less could not follow, on their being neglected, than that third and final summons, which Waverley actually received at Glennaquoich, though too late to obey it. And his being superseded36, in consequence of his apparent neglect of this last command, was so far from being a harsh or severe proceeding37, that it was plainly inevitable38. The next letter he unfolded was from the major of the regiment, acquainting him that a report to the disadvantage of his reputation was public in the country, stating, that one Mr. Falconer of Ballihopple, or some such name, had proposed in his presence a treasonable toast, which he permitted to pass in silence, although it was so gross an affront39 to the royal family that a gentleman in company, not remarkable40 for his zeal41 for government, had never theless taken the matter up, and that, supposing the account true, Captain Waverley had thus suffered another, comparatively unconcerned, to resent an affront directed against him personally as an officer, and to go out with the person by whom it was offered. The major concluded that no one of Captain Waverley’s brother officers could believe this scandalous story, but that it was necessarily their joint42 opinion that his own honour, equally with that of the regiment, depended upon its being instantly contradicted by his authority, etc. etc. etc.
‘What do you think of all this?’ said Colonel Talbot, to whom Waverley handed the letters after he had perused43 them.
‘Think! it renders thought impossible. It is enough to drive me mad.’
‘Be calm, my young friend; let us see what are these dirty scrawls44 that follow.’
The first was addressed, —
‘For Master W. Ruffin, These.’ —
‘Dear sur, sum of our yong gulpins will not bite, thof I tuold them you shoed me the squoire’s own seel. But Tims will deliver you the lettrs as desired, and tell ould Addem he gave them to squoir’s bond, as to be sure yours is the same, and shall be ready for signal, and hoy for Hoy Church and Sachefrel, as fadur sings at harvestwhome. Yours, deer Sur,
‘H. H.
‘Poscriff. — Do’e tell squoire we longs to heer from him, and has dootings about his not writing himself, and Lifetenant Bottler is smoky.’
‘This Ruffin, I suppose, then, is your Donald of the Cavern45, who has intercepted46 your letters, and carried on a correspondence with the poor devil Houghton, as if under your authority?’
‘It seems too true. But who can Addem be?’
‘Possibly Adam, for poor Gardiner, a sort of pun on his name.’
The other letters were to the same purpose; and they soon received yet more complete light upon Donald Bean’s machinations.
John Hodges, one of Waverley’s servants, who had remained with the regiment and had been taken at Preston, now made his appearance. He had sought out his master with the purpose of again entering his service. From this fellow they learned that some time after Waverley had gone from the headquarters of the regiment, a pedlar, called Ruthven, Rufnn, or Rivane, known among the soldiers by the name of Wily Will, had made frequent visits to the town of Dundee. He appeared to possess plenty of money, sold his commodities very cheap, seemed always willing to treat his friends at the ale-house, and easily ingratiated himself with many of Waverley’s troop, particularly Sergeant16 Houghton and one Tims, also a non-commissioned officer. To these he unfolded, in Waverley’s name, a plan for leaving the regiment and joining him in the Highlands, where report said the clans47 had already taken arms in great numbers. The men, who had been educated as Jacobites, so far as they had any opinion at all, and who knew their landlord, Sir Everard, had always been supposed to hold such tenets, easily fell into the snare48. That Waverley was at a distance in the Highlands was received as a sufficient excuse for transmitting his letters through the medium of the pedlar; and the sight of his well-known seal seemed to authenticate49 the negotiations50 in his name, where writing might have been dangerous. The cabal51, however, began to take air, from the premature52 mutinous language of those concerned. Wily Will justified53 his appellative; for, after suspicion arose, he was seen no more. When the ‘Gazette’ appeared in which Waverley was superseded, great part of his troop broke out into actual mutiny, but were surrounded and disarmed54 by the rest of the regiment In consequence of the sentence of a court-martial, Houghton and Tims were condemned55 to be shot, but afterwards permitted to cast lots for life. Houghton, the survivor56, showed much penitence57, being convinced, from the rebukes58 and explanations of Colonel Gardiner, that he had really engaged in a very heinous59 crime. It is remarkable that, as soon as the poor fellow was satisfied of this, he became also convinced that the instigator60 had acted without authority from Edward, saying, ‘If it was dishonourable and against Old England, the squire61 could know nought62 about it; he never did, or thought to do, anything dishonourable, no more didn’t Sir Everard, nor none of them afore him, and in that belief he would live and die that Ruffin had done it all of his own head.’
The strength of conviction with which he expressed himself upon this subject, as well as his assurances that the letters intended for Waverley had been delivered to Ruthven, made that revolution in Colonel Gardiner’s opinion which he expressed to Talbot.
The reader has long since understood that Donald Bean Lean played the part of tempter on this occasion. His motives63 were shortly these. Of an active and intriguing65 spirit, he had been long employed as a subaltern agent and spy by those in the confidence of the Chevalier, to an extent beyond what was suspected even by Fergus Mac-Ivor, whom, though obliged to him for protection, he regarded with fear and dislike. To success in this political department he naturally looked for raising himself by some bold stroke above his present hazardous66 and precarious67 trade of rapine. He was particularly employed in learning the strength of the regiments68 in Scotland, the character of the officers, etc., and had long had his eye upon Waverley’s troop as open to temptation. Donald even believed that Waverley himself was at bottom in the Stuart interest, which seemed confirmed by his long visit to the Jacobite Baron69 of Bradwardine. When, therefore, he came to his cave with one of Glennaquoich’s attendants, the robber, who could never appreciate his real motive64, which was mere70 curiosity, was so sanguine71 as to hope that his own talents were to be employed in some intrigue72 of consequence, under the auspices73 of this wealthy young Englishman. Nor was he undeceived by Waverley’s neglecting all hints and openings afforded for explanation. His conduct passed for prudent74 reserve, and somewhat piqued75 Donald Bean, who, supposing himself left out of a secret where confidence promised to be advantageous76, determined77 to have his share in the drama, whether a regular part were assigned him or not. For this purpose during Waverley’s sleep he possessed78 himself of his seal, as a token to be used to any of the troopers whom he might discover to be possessed of the captain’s confidence. His first journey to Dundee, the town where the regiment was quartered, undeceived him in his original supposition, but opened to him a new field of action. He knew there would be no service so well rewarded by the friends of the Chevalier as seducing79 a part of the regular army to his standard. For this purpose he opened the machinations with which the reader is already acquainted, and which form a clue to all the intricacies and obscurities of the narrative80 previous to Waverley’s leaving Glennaquoich.
By Colonel Talbot’s advice, Waverley declined detaining in his service the lad whose evidence had thrown additional light on these intrigues81. He represented to him, that it would be doing the man an injury to engage him in a desperate undertaking82, and that, whatever should happen, his evidence would go some length at least in explaining the circumstances under which Waverley himself had embarked83 in it. Waverley therefore wrote a short state of what had happened to his uncle and his father, cautioning them, however, in the present circumstances, not to attempt to answer his letter. Talbot then gave the young man a letter to the commander of one of the English vessels84 of war cruising in the frith, requesting him to put the bearer ashore85 at Berwick, with a pass to proceed to —— shire. He was then furnished with money to make an expeditious86 journey, and directed to get on board the ship by means of bribing87 a fishing-boat, which, as they afterwards learned, he easily effected.
Tired of the attendance of Callum Beg, who, he thought, had some disposition88 to act as a spy on his motions, Waverley hired as a servant a simple Edinburgh swain, who had mounted the white cockade in a fit of spleen and jealousy89, because Jenny Jop had danced a whole night with Corporal Bullock of the Fusileers.
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1
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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illustrates
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| 给…加插图( illustrate的第三人称单数 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明 | |
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3
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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4
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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6
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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7
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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8
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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9
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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10
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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aggravate
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| vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火 | |
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13
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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14
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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15
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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16
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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sergeants
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| 警官( sergeant的名词复数 )； （美国警察）警佐； （英国警察）巡佐； 陆军（或空军）中士 | |
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18
heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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19
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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20
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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21
abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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22
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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23
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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24
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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disaffected
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| adj.（政治上）不满的，叛离的 | |
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26
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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30
mutinous
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| adj.叛变的，反抗的；adv.反抗地，叛变地；n.反抗，叛变 | |
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31
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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32
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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33
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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34
redeem
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| v.买回，赎回，挽回，恢复，履行（诺言等） | |
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35
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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36
superseded
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| [医]被代替的，废弃的 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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38
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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affront
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| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
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40
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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41
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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42
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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43
perused
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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44
scrawls
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| 潦草的笔迹( scrawl的名词复数 ) | |
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45
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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46
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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47
clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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48
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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49
authenticate
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| vt.证明…为真，鉴定 | |
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50
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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51
cabal
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| n.政治阴谋小集团 | |
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52
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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53
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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54
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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55
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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56
survivor
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| n.生存者，残存者，幸存者 | |
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57
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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58
rebukes
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的第三人称单数 ) | |
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59
heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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60
instigator
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| n.煽动者 | |
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61
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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62
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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64
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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65
intriguing
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| adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心 | |
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66
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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69
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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70
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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71
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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72
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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73
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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74
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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75
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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76
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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77
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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78
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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79
seducing
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| 诱奸( seduce的现在分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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80
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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81
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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82
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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83
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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84
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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85
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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86
expeditious
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| adj.迅速的，敏捷的 | |
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87
bribing
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| 贿赂 | |
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88
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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89
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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