 wrapped in a
plaid, in the act of conversing with Janet. But, since the days of our
grandmother Eve the gratification of inordinate curiosity has generally borne
its penalty in disappointment. The form was not that of Flora, nor was the face
visible; and, to crown his vexation, while he laboured with the nail to enlarge
the hole, that he might obtain a more complete view, a slight noise betrayed his
purpose, and the object of his curiosity instantly disappeared; nor, so far as
he could observe, did she again revisit the cottage.
    All precautions to blockade his view were from that time abandoned, and he
was not only permitted, but assisted to rise and quit what had been, in a
literal sense, his couch of confinement. But he was not allowed to leave the
hut; for the young Highlander had now rejoined his senior, and one or other was
constantly on the watch. Whenever Waverley approached the cottage door, the
sentinel upon duty civilly, but resolutely, placed himself against it and
opposed his exit, accompanying his action with signs which seemed to imply there
was danger in the attempt, and an enemy in the neighbourhood. Old Janet appeared
anxious and upon the watch; and Waverley, who had not yet recovered strength
enough to attempt to take his departure in spite of the opposition of his hosts,
was under the necessity of remaining patient. His fare was, in every point of
view, better than he could have conceived; for poultry, and even wine were no
strangers to his table. The Highlanders never presumed to eat with him, and
unless in the circumstance of watching him, treated him with great respect. His
sole amusement was gazing from the window, or rather the shapeless aperture
which was meant to answer the purpose of a window, upon a large and rough brook,
which raged and foamed through a rocky channel, closely canopied with trees and
bushes, about ten feet beneath the site of his house of captivity.
    Upon the sixth day of his confinement, Waverley found himself so well that
he began to meditate his escape from this dull and miserable prison-house,
thinking any risk which he might incur in the attempt preferable to the
stupifying and intolerable uniformity of Janet's retirement. The question indeed
occurred, whither he was to direct his course when again at his own disposal.
Two schemes seemed practicable, yet both attended with danger and difficulty.
One was to go back to Glennaquoich, and join Fergus Mac-Ivor, by whom he was
sure to be kindly received; and in the present state of his mind, the
