 his own feelings of
the calamity, he endeavoured to place it in a light which might grieve her
without shocking her imagination. The picture which he drew for her benefit he
gradually familiarised to his own mind; and his next letters were more cheerful,
and referred to the prospects of peace and happiness which lay before them. Yet,
though his first horrible sensations had sunk into melancholy, Edward had
reached his native county before he could, as usual on former occasions, look
round for enjoyment upon the face of nature.
    He then, for the first time since leaving Edinburgh, began to experience
that pleasure which almost all feel who return to a verdant, populous, and
highly cultivated country, from scenes of waste desolation, or of solitary and
melancholy grandeur. But how were those feelings enhanced when he entered on the
domain so long possessed by his forefathers; recognised the old oaks of
Waverley-Chase; thought with what delight he should introduce Rose to all his
favourite haunts; beheld at length the towers of the venerable hall arise above
the woods which embowered it, and finally threw himself into the arms of the
venerable relations to whom he owed so much duty and affection!
    The happiness of their meeting was not tarnished by a single word of
reproach. On the contrary, whatever pain Sir Everard and Mrs. Rachel had felt
during Waverley's perilous engagement with the young Chevalier, it assorted too
well with the principles in which they had been brought up, to incur
reprobation, or even censure. Colonel Talbot also had smoothed the way, with
great address, for Edward's favourable reception, by dwelling upon his gallant
behaviour in the military character, particularly his bravery and generosity at
Preston; until, warmed at the idea of their nephew's engaging in single combat,
making prisoner, and saving from slaughter so distinguished an officer as the
Colonel himself, the imagination of the Baronet and his sister ranked the
exploits of Edward with those of Wilibert, Hildebrand, and Nigel, the vaunted
heroes of their line.
    The appearance of Waverley, embrowned by exercise, and dignified by the
habits of military discipline, had acquired an athletic and hardy character,
which not only verified the Colonel's narration, but surprised and delighted all
the inhabitants of Waverley-Honour. They crowded to see, to hear him, and to
sing his praises. Mr. Pembroke, who secretly extolled his spirit and courage in
embracing the genuine cause of the Church of England, censured his pupil gently,
nevertheless, for being so careless of his manuscripts, which indeed he said,
had occasioned him some personal inconvenience
