 have divided
his energies amid a hundred objects. It was I who taught him to concentrate
them, and to gage all on this dreadful and desperate cast. Oh that I could
recollect that I had but once said to him, He that striketh with the sword shall
die by the sword; that I had but once said, Remain at home; reserve yourself,
your vassals, your life, for enterprises within the reach of man. But oh, Mr.
Waverley, I spurred his fiery temper, and half of his ruin at least lies with
his sister!«
    The horrid idea which she had intimated Edward endeavoured to combat by
every incoherent argument that occurred to him. He recalled to her the
principles on which both thought it their duty to act, and in which they had
been educated.
    »Do not think I have forgotten them,« she said, looking up, with eager
quickness; »I do not regret his attempt because it was wrong - oh no! on that
point I am armed - but because it was impossible it could end otherwise than
thus.«
    »Yet it did not always seem so desperate and hazardous as it was; and it
would have been chosen by the bold spirit of Fergus whether you had approved it
or no; your counsels only served to give unity and consistence to his conduct;
to dignify, but not to precipitate, his resolution.« Flora had soon ceased to
listen to Edward, and was again intent upon her needle-work.
    »Do you remember,« she said, looking up with a ghastly smile, »you once
found me making Fergus's bride-favours, and now I am sewing his bridal-garment.
Our friends here,« she continued, with suppressed emotion, »are to give hallowed
earth in their chapel to the bloody relics of the last Vich Ian Vohr. But they
will not all rest together; no - his head! - I shall not have the last miserable
consolation of kissing the cold lips of my dear, dear Fergus!«
    The unfortunate Flora here, after one or two hysterical sobs, fainted in her
chair. The lady, who had been attending in the ante-room, now entered hastily,
and begged Edward to leave the room, but not the house.
    When he was recalled, after the space of nearly half-an-hour, he found that,
by a strong effort, Miss Mac-Ivor had greatly composed herself. It was then he
ventured to urge Miss Bradwardine's claim to be considered as an adopted sister,
and empowered to assist her
