,
that, as her extreme timidity wore off, her manners received a higher character;
that the agitating circumstances of the stormy time seemed to call forth a
certain dignity of feeling and expression, which he had not formerly observed;
and that she omitted no opportunity within her reach to extend her knowledge and
refine her taste.
    Flora Mac-Ivor called Rose her pupil, and was attentive to assist her in her
studies, and to fashion both her taste and understanding. It might have been
remarked by a very close observer, that in the presence of Waverley she was much
more desirous to exhibit her friend's excellences than her own. But I must
request of the reader to suppose, that this kind and disinterested purpose was
concealed by the most cautious delicacy, studiously shunning the most distant
approach to affectation. So that it was as unlike the usual exhibition of one
pretty woman affecting to proner another, as the friendship of David and
Jonathan might be to the intimacy of two Bond Street loungers. The fact is,
that, though the effect was felt, the cause could hardly be observed. Each of
the ladies, like two excellent actresses, were perfect in their parts, and
performed them to the delight of the audience; and such being the case, it was
almost impossible to discover that the elder constantly ceded to her friend that
which was most suitable to her talents.
    But to Waverley, Rose Bradwardine possessed an attraction which few men can
resist, from the marked interest which she took in everything that affected him.
She was too young and too inexperienced to estimate the full force of the
constant attention which she paid to him. Her father was too abstractedly
immersed in learned and military discussions to observe her partiality, and
Flora Mac-Ivor did not alarm her by remonstrance, because she saw in this line
of conduct the most probable chance of her friend securing at length a return of
affection.
    The truth is, that, in her first conversation after their meeting, Rose had
discovered the state of her mind to that acute and intelligent friend, although
she was not herself aware of it. From that time, Flora was not only determined
upon the final rejection of Waverley's addresses, but became anxious that they
should, if possible, be transferred to her friend. Nor was she less interested
in this plan, though her brother had from time to time talked, as between jest
and earnest, of paying his suit to Miss Bradwardine. She knew that Fergus had
the true continental latitude of opinion respecting the institution of marriage,
and would not have given his hand to an angel