!« said Flora somewhat scornfully - »inclined in
principles! - Can such lukewarm adherence be honourable to yourselves, or
gratifying to your lawful sovereign? - Think, from my present feelings, what I
should suffer when I held the place of member in a family where the rights which
I hold most sacred are subjected to cold discussion, and only deemed worthy of
support when they shall appear on the point of triumphing without it!«
    »Your doubts,« quickly replied Waverley, »are unjust as far as concerns
myself. The cause that I shall assert I dare support through every danger, as
undauntedly as the boldest who draws sword in its behalf.«
    »Of that,« answered Flora, »I cannot doubt for a moment. But consult your
own good sense and reason rather than a prepossession hastily adopted, probably
only because you have met a young woman possessed of the usual accomplishments
in a sequestered and romantic situation. Let your part in this great and
perilous drama rest upon conviction, and not on a hurried, and probably a
temporary feeling.«
    Waverley attempted to reply, but his words failed him. Every sentiment that
Flora had uttered vindicated the strength of his attachment; for even her
loyalty, although wildly enthusiastic, was generous and noble, and disdained to
avail itself of any indirect means of supporting the cause to which she was
devoted.
    After walking a little way in silence down the path, Flora thus resumed the
conversation. - »One word more, Mr. Waverley, ere we bid farewell to this topic
for ever; and forgive my boldness if that word have the air of advice. My
brother Fergus is anxious that you should join him in his present enterprise.
But do not consent to this; you could not by your single exertions further his
success, and you would inevitably share his fall, if it be God's pleasure that
fall he must. Your character would also suffer irretrievably. Let me beg you
will return to your own country; and having publicly freed yourself from every
tie to the usurping government, I trust you will see cause, and find
opportunity, to serve your injured sovereign with effect, and stand forth, as
your loyal ancestors, at the head of your natural followers and adherents, a
worthy representative of the house of Waverley.«
    »And should I be so happy as thus to distinguish myself, might I not hope«
--
    »Forgive my interruption,« said Flora. »The present time only is ours, and I
can but explain to you with candour the feelings which I now entertain; how they
