That’s not long a doing
When the first rapturous sensation occasioned by these excellent tidings had somewhat subsided1, Edward proposed instantly to go down to the glen to acquaint the Baron2 with their import. But the cautious Bailie justly observed that, if the Baron were to appear instantly in public, the tenantry and villagers might become riotous3 in expressing their joy, and give offence to ‘the powers that be,’ a sort of persons for whom the Bailie always had unlimited4 respect. He therefore proposed that Mr. Waverley should go to Janet Gellatley’s and bring the Baron up under cloud of night to Little Veolan, where he might once more enjoy the luxury of a good bed. In the meanwhile, he said, he himself would go to Captain Foster and show him the Baron’s protection, and obtain his countenance5 for harbouring him that night, and he would have horses ready on the morrow to set him on his way to the Duchran along with Mr. Stanley, ‘whilk denomination6, I apprehend7, your honour will for the present retain,’ said the Bailie.
‘Certainly, Mr. Macwheeble; but will you not go down to the glen yourself in the evening to meet your patron?’
‘That I wad wi’ a’ my heart; and mickle obliged to your honour for putting me in mind o’ mybounden duty. But it will be past sunset afore I get back frae the Captain’s, and at these unsonsy hours the glen has a bad name; there’s something no that canny8 about auld9 Janet Gellatley. The Laird he’ll no believe thae things, but he was aye ower rash and venturesome, and feared neither man nor deevil, an sae’s seen o’t. But right sure am I Sir George Mackenyie says, that no divine can doubt there are witches, since the Bible says thou shalt not suffer them to live; and that no lawyer in Scotland can doubt it, since it is punishable with death by our law. So there’s baith law and gospel for it. An his honour winna believe the Leviticus, he might aye believe the Statute-book; but he may tak his ain way o’t; it’s a’ ane to Duncan Macwheeble. However, I shall send to ask up auld Janet this e’en; it’s best no to lightly them that have that character; and we’ll want Davie to turn the spit, for I’ll gar Eppie put down a fat goose to the fire for your honours to your supper.’
When it was near sunset Waverley hastened to the hut; and he could not but allow that superstition10 had chosen no improper11 locality, or unfit object, for the foundation of her fantastic terrors. It resembled exactly the description of Spenser:—
There, in a gloomy hollow glen, she found
A little cottage built of sticks and reeds,
In homely12 wise, and wall’d with sods around,
In which a witch did dwell in loathly weeds,
And wilful13 want, all careless of her needs,
So choosing solitary14 to abide15
Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deeds,
And hellish arts, from people she might hide,
And hurt far off, unknown, whomsoever she espied16.
He entered the cottage with these verses in his memory. Poor old Janet, bent17 double with age and bleared with peat-smoke, was tottering18 about the hut with a birch broom, muttering to herself as she endeavoured to make her hearth19 and floor a little clean for the reception of her expected guests. Waverley’s step made her start, look up, and fall a-trembling, so much had her nerves been on the rack for her patron’s safety. With difficulty Waverley made her comprehend that the Baron was now safe from personal danger; and when her mind had admitted that joyful20 news, it was equally hard to make her believe that he was not to enter again upon possession of his estate. ‘It behoved to be,’ she said, ‘he wad get it back again; naebody wad be sae gripple as to tak his gear after they had gi’en him a pardon: and for that Inch-Grabbit, I could whiles wish mysell a witch for his sake, if I werena feared the Enemy wad tak me at my word.’ Waverley then gave her some money, and promised that her fidelity21 should be rewarded. ‘How can I be rewarded, sir, sae weel as just to see my auld maister and Miss Rose come back and bruik their ain?’
Waverley now took leave of Janet, and soon stood beneath the Baron’s Patmos. At a low whistle he observed the veteran peeping out to reconnoitre, like an old badger22 with his head out of his hole. ‘Ye hae come rather early, my good lad,’ said he, descending23; ‘I question if the red-coats hae beat the tattoo24 yet, and we’re not safe till then.’
‘Good news cannot be told too soon,’ said Waverley; and with infinite joy communicated to him the happy tidings. The old man stood for a moment in silent devotion, then exclaimed, ‘Praise be to God! I shall see my bairn again.’
‘And never, I hope, to part with her more,’ said Waverley.
‘I trust in God not, unless it be to win the means of supporting her; for my things are but in a bruckle state; — but what signifies warld’s gear?’
‘And if,’ said Waverley modestly, ‘there were a situation in life which would put Miss Bradwardine beyond the uncertainty25 of fortune, and in the rank to which she was born, would you object to it, my dear Baron, because it would make one of your friends the happiest man in the world?’ The Baron turned and looked at him with great earnestness. ‘Yes,’ continued Edward, ‘I shall not consider my sentence of banishment26 as repealed27 unless you will give me permission to accompany you to the Duchran, and — ’
The Baron seemed collecting all his dignity to make a suitable reply to what, at another time, he would have treated as the propounding28 a treaty of alliance between the houses of Bradwardine and Waverley. But his efforts were in vain; the father was too mighty29 for the Baron; the pride of birth and rank were swept away; in the joyful surprise a slight convulsion passed rapidly over his features, as he gave way to the feelings of nature, threw his arms around Waverley’s neck, and sobbed30 out — ‘My son, my son! if I had been to search the world, I would have made my choice here.’ Edward returned the embrace with great sympathy of feeling, and for a little while they both kept silence. At length it was broken by Edward. ‘But Miss Bradwardine?’
‘She had never a will but her old father’s; besides, you are a likely youth, of honest principles and high birth; no, she never had any other will than mine, and in my proudest days I could not have wished a mair eligible31 espousal for her than the nephew of my excellent old friend, Sir Everard. But I hope, young man, ye deal na rashly in this matter? I hope ye hae secured the approbation32 of your ain friends and allies, particularly of your uncle, who is in loco parentis? Ah! we maun tak heed33 o’ that.’ Edward assured him that Sir Everard would think himself highly honoured in the flattering reception his proposal had met with, and that it had his entire approbation; in evidence of which he put Colonel Talbot’s letter into the Baron’s hand. The Baron read it with great attention. ‘Sir Everard,’ he said, ‘always despised wealth in comparison of honour and birth; and indeed he hath no occasion to court the Diva Pecunia. Yet I now wish, since this Malcolm turns out such a parricide34, for I can call him no better, as to think of alienating35 the family inheritance — I now wish (his eyes fixed36 on a part of the roof which was visible above the trees) that I could have left Rose the auld hurley-house and the riggs belanging to it. And yet,’ said he, resuming more cheerfully, ‘it’s maybe as weel as it is; for, as Baron of Bradwardine, I might have thought it my duty to insist upon certain compliances respecting name and bearings, whilk now, as a landless laird wi’ a tocherless daughter, no one can blame me for departing from.’
‘Now, Heaven be praised!’ thought Edward,‘that Sir Everard does not hear these scruples38! The three ermines passant and rampant39 bear would certainly have gone together by the ears.’ He then, with all the ardour of a young lover, assured the Baron that he sought for his happiness only in Rose’s heart and hand, and thought himself as happy in her father’s simple approbation as if he had settled an earldom upon his daughter.
They now reached Little Veolan. The goose was smoking on the table, and the Bailie brandished40 his knife and fork. A joyous41 greeting took place between him and his patron. The kitchen, too, had its company. Auld Janet was established at the ingle-nook; Davie had turned the spit to his immortal42 honour; and even Ban and Buscar, in the liberality of Macwheeble’s joy, had been stuffed to the throat with food, and now lay snoring on the floor.
The next day conducted the Baron and his young friend to the Duchran, where the former was expected, in consequence of the success of the nearly unanimous application of the Scottish friends of government in his favour. This had been so general and so powerful that it was almost thought his estate might have been saved, had it not passed into the rapacious43 hands of his unworthy kinsman44, whose right, arising out of the Baron’s attainder, could not be affected45 by a pardon from the crown. The old gentleman, however, said, with his usual spirit, he was more gratified by the hold he possessed46 in the good opinion of his neighbours than he would have been in being rehabilitated47 and restored in integrum, had it been found practicable.’
We shall not attempt to describe the meeting of the father and daughter, loving each other so affectionately, and separated under such perilous48 circumstances. Still less shall we attempt to analyse the deep blush of Rose at receiving the compliments of Waverley, or stop to inquire whether she had any curiosity respecting the particular cause of his journey to Scotland at that period. We shall not even trouble the reader with the humdrum49 details of a courtship Sixty Years Since. It is enough to say that, under so strict a martinet50 as the Baron, all things were conducted in due form. He took upon himself, the morning after their arrival, the task of announcing the proposal of Waverley to Rose, which she heard with a proper degree of maiden51 timidity. Fame does, however, say that Waverley had the evening before found five minutes to apprise52 her of what was coming, while the rest of the company were looking at three twisted serpents which formed a, jet d’eau in the garden.
My fair readers will judge for themselves; but, for my part, I cannot conceive how so important an affair could be communicated in so short a space of time; at least, it certainly took a full hour in the Baron’s mode of conveying it.
Waverley was now considered as a received lover in all the forms. He was made, by dint53 of smirking54 and nodding on the part of the lady of the house, to sit next Miss Bradwardine at dinner, to be Miss Bradwardine’s partner at cards. If he came into the room, she of the four Miss Rubricks who chanced to be next Rose was sure to recollect55 that her thimble or her scissors were at the other end of the room, in order to leave the seat nearest to Miss Bradwardine vacant for his occupation. And sometimes, if papa and mamma were not in the way to keep them on their good behaviour, the misses would titter a little. The old Laird of Duchran would also have his occasional jest, and the old lady her remark. Even the Baron could not refrain; but here Rose escaped every embarrassment56 but that of conjecture57, for his wit was usually couched in a Latin quotation58. The very footmen sometimes grinned too broadly, the maidservants giggled59 mayhap too loud, and a provoking air of intelligence seemed to pervade60 the whole family. Alice Bean, the pretty maid of the cavern61, who, after her father’s misfortune, as she called it, had attended Rose as fille-de- chambre, smiled and smirked62 with the best of them. Rose and Edward, however, endured all these little vexatious circumstances as other folks have done before and since, and probably contrived63 to obtain some indemnification, since they are not supposed, on the whole, to have been particularly unhappy during Waverley’s six days’ stay at the Duchran.
It was finally arranged that Edward should go to Waverley-Honour to make the necessary arrangements for his marriage, thence to London to take the proper measures for pleading his pardon, and return as soon as possible to claim the hand of his plighted64 bride. He also intended in his journey to visit Colonel Talbot; but, above all, it was his most important object to learn the fate of the unfortunate Chief of Glennaquoich; to visit him at Carlisle, and to try whether anything could be done for procuring65, if not a pardon, a commutation at least, or alleviation66, of the punishment to which he was almost certain of being condemned67; and, in case of the worst, to offer the miserable68 Flora69 an asylum70 with Rose, or otherwise to assist her views in any mode which might seem possible. The fate of Fergus seemed hard to be averted71. Edward had already striven to interest his friend, Colonel Talbot, in his behalf; but had been given distinctly to understand by his reply that his credit in matters of that nature was totally exhausted72.
The Colonel was still in Edinburgh, and proposed to wait there for some months upon business confided73 to him by the Duke of Cumberland. He was to be joined by Lady Emily, to whom easy travelling and goat’s whey were recommended, and who was to journey northward74 under the escort of Francis Stanley. Edward, therefore, met the Colonel at Edinburgh, who wished him joy in the kindest manner on his approaching happiness, and cheerfully undertook many commissions which our hero was necessarily obliged to delegate to his charge. But on the subject of Fergus he was inexorable. He satisfied Edward, indeed, that his interference would be unavailing; but, besides, Colonel Talbot owned that he could not conscientiously75 use any influence in favour of that unfortunate gentleman. ‘Justice,’ he said, ‘which demanded some penalty of those who had wrapped the whole nation in fear and in mourning, could not perhaps have selected a fitter victim. He came to the field with the fullest light upon the nature of his attempt. He had studied and understood the subject. His father’s fate could not intimidate76 him; the lenity of the laws which had restored to him his father’s property and rights could not melt him. That he was brave, generous, and possessed many good qualities only rendered him the more dangerous; that he was enlightened and accomplished77 made his crime the less excusable; that he was an enthusiast78 in a wrong cause only made him the more fit to be its martyr79. Above all, he had been the means of bringing many hundreds of men into the field who, without him, would never have broken the peace of the country.
‘I repeat it,’ said the Colonel,‘though Heaven knows with a heart distressed80 for him as an individual, that this young gentleman has studied and fully37 understood the desperate game which he has played. He threw for life or death, a coronet or a coffin81; and he cannot now be permitted, with justice to the country, to draw stakes because the dice82 have gone against him.’
Such was the reasoning of those times, held even by brave and humane83 men towards a vanquished84 enemy. Let us devoutly85 hope that, in this respect at least, we shall never see the scenes or hold the sentiments that were general in Britain Sixty Years Since.
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1
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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2
baron
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| n.男爵；(商业界等)巨头，大王 | |
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3
riotous
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| adj.骚乱的；狂欢的 | |
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4
unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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5
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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denomination
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| n.命名，取名，(度量衡、货币等的)单位 | |
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7
apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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8
canny
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| adj.谨慎的，节俭的 | |
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9
auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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10
superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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11
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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12
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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13
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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14
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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15
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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16
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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18
tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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19
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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20
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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21
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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22
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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23
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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24
tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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25
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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26
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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27
repealed
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| 撤销，废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
propounding
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| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的现在分词 ) | |
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29
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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30
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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31
eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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32
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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33
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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34
parricide
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| n.杀父母；杀亲罪 | |
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35
alienating
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| v.使疏远( alienate的现在分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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36
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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37
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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38
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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39
rampant
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| adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的 | |
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40
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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41
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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43
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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47
rehabilitated
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| 改造（罪犯等）( rehabilitate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使恢复正常生活； 使恢复原状； 修复 | |
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48
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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49
humdrum
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| adj.单调的，乏味的 | |
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50
martinet
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| n.要求严格服从纪律的人 | |
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51
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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52
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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53
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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54
smirking
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| v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 ) | |
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55
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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56
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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57
conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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58
quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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59
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
pervade
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| v.弥漫，遍及，充满，渗透，漫延 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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smirked
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| v.傻笑( smirk的过去分词 ) | |
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63
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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64
plighted
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| vt.保证，约定（plight的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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66
alleviation
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| n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物 | |
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67
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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68
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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69
flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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70
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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71
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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74
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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75
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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76
intimidate
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| vt.恐吓，威胁 | |
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77
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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78
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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79
martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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80
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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81
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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82
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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83
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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84
vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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85
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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