 good opinion,
his only wish and the sole purpose of his visit was to find out the means of
deserving it. My excellent friend, Major Melville,« he continued, »has feelings
and duties as a soldier and public functionary, by which I am not fettered; nor
can I always coincide in opinions which he forms, perhaps with too little
allowance for the imperfections of human nature.« He paused, and then proceeded:
»I do not intrude myself on your confidence, Mr. Waverley, for the purpose of
learning any circumstances, the knowledge of which can be prejudicial either to
yourself or to others; but I own my earnest wish is, that you would entrust me
with any particulars which could lead to your exculpation. I can solemnly assure
you they will be deposited with a faithful and, to the extent of his limited
powers, a zealous agent.«
    »You are, sir, I presume, a Presbyterian clergyman?« - Mr. Morton bowed. -
»Were I to be guided by the prepossessions of education, I might distrust your
friendly professions in my case; but I have observed that similar prejudices are
nourished in this country against your professional brethren of the Episcopal
persuasion, and I am willing to believe them equally unfounded in both cases.«
    »Evil to him that thinks otherwise,« said Mr. Morton; »or who holds church
government and ceremonies as the exclusive gage of Christian faith or moral
virtue.«
    »But,« continued Waverley, »I cannot perceive why I should trouble you with
a detail of particulars, out of which, after revolving them as carefully as
possible in my recollection, I find myself unable to explain much of what is
charged against me. I know, indeed, that I am innocent, but I hardly see how I
can hope to prove myself so.«
    »It is for that very reason, Mr. Waverley,« said the clergyman, »that I
venture to solicit your confidence. My knowledge of individuals in this country
is pretty general, and can upon occasion be extended. Your situation will, I
fear, preclude your taking those active steps for recovering intelligence, or
tracing imposture, which I would willingly undertake in your behalf; and if you
are not benefited by my exertions, at least they cannot be prejudicial to you.«
    Waverley, after a few minutes' reflection, was convinced that his reposing
confidence in Mr. Morton, so far as he himself was concerned, could hurt neither
Mr. Bradwardine nor Fergus Mac-Ivor, both of whom had openly assumed arms
against the
