``It is not mine, though,'' said Waverley; ``and having honourably got rid of the sword, which I drew only as a volunteer, I am quite satisfied with my military experience, and shall be in no hurry to take it up again.''
``I am very glad you are of that mind---but then, what would you do in the North?''
``In the first place, there are some seaports on the eastern coast of Scotland still in the hands of the Chevalier's friends;should I gain any of them, I can easily embark for the Continent.''
``Good---your second reason?''
``Why, to speak the very truth, there is a person in Scotland upon whom I now find my happiness depends more than Iwas always aware, and about whose situation I am very anxious.''
``Then Emily was right, and there is a love affair in the case after all?---And which of these two pretty Scotchwomen, whom you insisted upon my admiring, is the distinguished fair?---not Miss Glen---I hope.''
``No.''
``Ah, pass for the other: simplicity may be improved, but pride and conceit never.Well, I don't discourage you; I think it will please Sir Everard, from what he said when I jested with him about it; only I hope that intolerable papa, with his brogue, and his snuff, and his Latin, and his insufferable long stories about the Duke of Berwick, will find it necessary hereafter, to be an inhabitant of foreign parts.But as to the daughter, though I think you might find as fitting a match in England, yet if your heart be really set upon this Scotch Rosebud, why the Baronet has a great opinion of her father and of his family, and he wishes much to see you married and settled, both for your own sake and for that of the three ermines passant, which may otherwise pass away altogether.But I will bring you his mind fully upon the subject, since you are debarred correspondence for the present, for I think you will not be long in Scotland before me.''
``Indeed! and what can induce you to think of returning to Scotland? No relentless longings towards the land of mountains and floods I am afraid.''
``None, on my word; but Emily's health is now, thank God, re-established, and, to tell you the truth, I have little hopes of concluding the business which I have at present most at heart, until I can have a personal interview with his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief; for, as Fluellen says, `The duke doth love me well, and I thank heaven, I have deserved some love at his hands.' I am now going out for an hour or two to arrange matters for your departure; your liberty extends to the next room, Lady Emily's parlour, where you will find her when you are disposed for music, reading, or conversation.We have taken measures to exclude all servants but Spontoon, who is as true as steel.''
In about two hours Colonel Talbot returned, and found his young friend conversing with his lady; she pleased with his manners and information, and he delighted at being restored, though but for a moment, to the society of his own rank, from which he had been for some time excluded.