‘We shall hardly,’ said he one morning to Waverley when they had been viewing the Castle — ‘we shall hardly gain the obsidional crown, which you wot well was made of the roots or grain which takes root within the place besieged8, or it may be of the herb woodbind, parietaria, or pellitory; we shall not, I say, gain it by this same blockade or leaguer of Edinburgh Castle.’ For this opinion he gave most learned and satisfactory reasons, that the reader may not care to hear repeated.
Having escaped from the old gentleman, Waverley went to Fergus’s lodgings9 by appointment, to await his return from Holyrood House. ‘I am to have a particular audience to-morrow,’ said Fergus to Waverley overnight, ‘and you must meet me to wish me joy of the success which I securely anticipate.’
The morrow came, and in the Chief’s apartment he found Ensign Maccombich waiting to make report of his turn of duty in a sort of ditch which they had dug across the Castle-hill and called a trench10. In a short time the Chief’s voice was heard on the stair in a tone of impatient fury: ‘Callum! why, Callum Beg! Diaoul!’ He entered the room with all the marks of a man agitated11 by a towering passion; and there were few upon whose features rage produced a more violent effect. The veins12 of his forehead swelled13 when he was in such agitation14; his nostril15 became dilated16; his cheek and eye inflamed17; and hislook that of a demoniac. These appearances of half-suppressed rage were the more frightful18 because they were obviously caused by a strong effort to temper with discretion19 an almost ungovernable paroxysm of passion, and resulted from an internal conflict of the most dreadful kind, which agitated his whole frame of mortality.
As he entered the apartment he unbuckled his broadsword, and throwing it down with such violence that the weapon rolled to the other end of the room, ‘I know not what,’ he exclaimed, ‘withholds me from taking a solemn oath that I will never more draw it in his cause. Load my pistols, Callum, and bring them hither instantly — instantly!’ Callum, whom nothing ever startled, dismayed, or disconcerted, obeyed very coolly. Evan Dhu, upon whose brow the suspicion that his Chief had been insulted called up a corresponding storm, swelled in sullen20 silence, awaiting to learn where or upon whom vengeance21 was to descend22.
‘So, Waverley, you are there,’ said the Chief, after a moment’s recollection. ‘Yes, I remember I asked you to share my triumph, and you have come to witness my disappointment we shall call it.’ Evan now presented the written report he had in his hand, which Fergus threw from him with great passion. ‘I wish to God,’ he said, ‘the old den23 would tumble down upon the heads of the fools who attack and the knaves24 who defend it! I see, Waverley, you think I am mad. Leave us, Evan, but be within call.’
‘The Colonel’s in an unco kippage,’ said Mrs. Flockhart to Evan as he descended25; ‘I wish he may be weel, — the very veins on his brent brow are swelled like whipcord; wad he no tak something?’
‘He usually lets blood for these fits,’ answered the Highland26 ancient with great composure.
When this officer left the room, the Chieftain gradually reassumed some degree of composure. ‘I know, Waverley,’ he said, ‘that Colonel Talbot has persuaded you to curse ten times a day your engagement with us; nay27, never deny it, for I am at this moment tempted28 to curse my own. Would you believe it, I made this very morning two suits to the Prince, and he has rejected them both; what do you think of it?’
‘What can I think,’ answered Waverley,‘till I know what your requests were?’ ‘Why, what signifies what they were, man? I tell you it was I that made them — I to whom he owes more than to any three who have joined the standard; for I negotiated the whole business, and brought in all the Perthshire men when not one would have stirred. I am not likely, I think, to ask anything very unreasonable29, and if I did, they might have stretched a point. Well, but you shall know all, now that I can draw my breath again with some freedom. You remember my earl’s patent; it is dated some years back, for services then rendered; and certainly my merit has not been diminished, to say the least, by my subsequent behaviour. Now, sir, I value this bauble30 of a coronet as little as you can, or any philosopher on earth; for I hold that the chief of such a clan31 as the Sliochd nan Ivor is superior in rank to any earl in Scotland. But I had a particular reason for assuming this cursed title at this time. You must know that I learned accidentally that the Prince has been pressing that old foolish Baron of Bradwardine to disinherit his male heir, or nineteenth or twentieth cousin, who has taken a command in the Elector of Hanover’s militia32, and to settle his estate upon your pretty little friend Rose; and this, as being the command of his king and overlord, who may alter the destination of a fief at pleasure, the old gentleman seems well reconciled to.’
‘And what becomes of the homage33?’
‘Curse the homage! I believe Rose is to pull off the queen’s slipper34 on her coronation-day, or some such trash. Well, sir, as Rose Bradwardine would always have made a suitable match for me but for this idiotical predilection35 of her father for the heir-male, it occurred to me there now remained no obstacle unless that the Baron might expect his daughter’s husband to take the name of Bradwardine (which you know would be impossible in my case), and that this might be evaded36 by my assuming the title to which I had so good a right, and which, of course, would supersede37 that difficulty. If she was to be also Viscountess Bradwardine in her own right after her father’s demise38, so much the better; I could have no objection.’
‘But, Fergus,’ said Waverley, ‘I had no idea that you had any affection for Miss Bradwardine, and you are always sneering39 at her father.’
‘I have as much affection for Miss Bradwardine, my good friend, as I think it necessary to have for the future mistress of my family and the mother of my children. She is a very pretty, intelligent girl, and is certainly of one of the very first Lowland families; and, with a little of Flora’s instructions and forming, will make a very good figure. As to her father, he is an original, it is true, and an absurd one enough; but he has given such severe lessons to Sir Hew40 Halbert, that dear defunct41 the Laird of Balmawhapple, and others, that nobody dare laugh at him, so his absurdity42 goes for nothing. I tell you there could have been no earthly objection — none. I had settled the thing entirely43 in my own mind.’
‘But had you asked the Baron’s consent,’ said Waverley, ‘or Rose’s?’
‘To what purpose? To have spoke44 to the Baron before I had assumed my title would have only provoked a premature45 and irritating discussion on the subject of the change of name, when, as Earl of Glennaquoich, I had only to propose to him to carry his d — d bear and bootjack party per pale, or in a scutcheon of pretence46, or in a separate shield perhaps — any way that would not blemish47 my own coat of arms. And as to Rose, I don’t see what objection she could have made if her father was satisfied.’
‘Perhaps the same that your sister makes to me, you being satisfied.’
Fergus gave a broad stare at the comparison which this supposition implied, but cautiously suppressed the answer which rose to his tongue. ‘O, we should easily have arranged all that. So, sir, I craved48 a private interview, and this morning was assigned; and I asked you to meet me here, thinking, like a fool, that I should want your countenance49 as bride’s-man. Well, I state my pretension50 — they are not denied; the promises so repeatedly made and the patent granted — they are acknowledged. But I propose, as a natural consequence, to assume the rank which the patent bestowed51. I have the old story of the jealousy52 of C—— and M—— trumped53 up against me. I resist this pretext54, and offer to procure55 their written acquiescence56, in virtue57 of the date of my patent as prior to their silly claims; I assure you I would have had such a consent from them, if it had been at the point of the sword. And then out comes the real truth; and he dares to tell me to my face that my patent must be suppressed for the present, for fear of disgusting that rascally58 coward and faineant (naming the rival chief of his own clan), who has no better title to be a chieftain than I to be Emperor of China, and who is pleased to shelter his dastardly reluctance59 to come out, agreeable to his promise twenty times pledged, under a pretended jealousy of the Prince’s partiality to me. And, to leave this miserable60 driveller without a pretence for his cowardice61, the Prince asks it as a personal favour of me, forsooth, not to press my just and reasonable request at this moment. After this, put your faith in princes!’
‘And did your audience end here?’
‘End? O no! I was determined62 to leave him no pretence for his ingratitude63, and I therefore stated, with all the composure I could muster64, — for I promise you I trembled with passion, — the particular reasons I had for wishing that his Royal Highness would impose upon me any other mode of exhibiting my duty and devotion, as my views in life made what at any other time would have been a mere65 trifle at this crisis a severe sacrifice; and then I explained to him my full plan.’
‘And what did the Prince answer?’
‘Answer? why — it is well it is written, “Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought!” — why, he answered that truly he was glad I had made him my confidant, to prevent more grievous disappointment, for he could assure me, upon the word of a prince, that Miss Bradwardine’s affections were engaged, and he was under a particular promise to favour them. “So, my dear Fergus,” said he, with his most gracious cast of smile, “as the marriage is utterly66 out of question, there need be no hurry, you know, about the earldom.” And so he glided67 off and left me plante la.’
‘And what did you do?’
‘I’ll tell you what I COULD have done at that moment — sold myself to the devil or the Elector, whichever offered the dearest revenge. However, I am now cool. I know he intends to marry her to some of his rascally Frenchmen or his Irish officers, but I will watch them close; and let the man that would supplant68 me look well to himself. Bisogna coprirsi, Signor.’
After some further conversation, unnecessary to be detailed69, Waverley took leave of the Chieftain, whose fury had now subsided70 into a deep and strong desire of vengeance, and returned home, scarce able to analyse the mixture of feelings which the narrative71 had awakened72 in his own bosom73.
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1
acorn
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| n.橡实，橡子 | |
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ramifications
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| n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 ) | |
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3
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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4
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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13
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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14
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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15
nostril
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| n.鼻孔 | |
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dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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19
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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20
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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21
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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22
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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24
knaves
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| n.恶棍，无赖( knave的名词复数 )；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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28
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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29
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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bauble
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| n.美观而无价值的饰物 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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34
slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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predilection
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| n.偏好 | |
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36
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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37
supersede
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| v.替代；充任 | |
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38
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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40
hew
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| v.砍；伐；削 | |
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41
defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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42
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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43
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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45
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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46
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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47
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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48
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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49
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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50
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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51
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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53
trumped
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| v.（牌戏）出王牌赢（一牌或一墩）( trump的过去分词 )；吹号公告，吹号庆祝；吹喇叭；捏造 | |
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54
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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55
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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56
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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57
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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58
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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59
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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60
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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62
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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64
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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65
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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66
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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67
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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68
supplant
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| vt.排挤；取代 | |
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69
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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71
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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72
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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73
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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