, unless for the purpose of
strengthening his alliances, and increasing his influence and wealth. The
Baron's whim, of transferring his estate to the distant heir-male instead of his
own daughter, was therefore likely to be an insurmountable obstacle to his
entertaining any serious thoughts of Rose Bradwardine. Indeed, Fergus's brain
was a perpetual workshop of scheme and intrigue of every possible kind and
description; while, like many a mechanic of more ingenuity than steadiness, he
would often unexpectedly, and without any apparent motive, abandon one plan, and
go earnestly to work upon another, which was either fresh from the forge of his
imagination, or had at some former period been flung aside half finished. It was
therefore often difficult to guess what line of conduct he might finally adopt
upon any given occasion.
    Although Flora was sincerely attached to her brother, whose high energies
might indeed have commanded her admiration even without the ties which bound
them together, she was by no means blind to his faults, which she considered as
dangerous to the hopes of any woman who should found her ideas of a happy
marriage in the peaceful enjoyment of domestic society, and the exchange of
mutual and engrossing affection. The real disposition of Waverley, on the other
hand, notwithstanding his dreams of tented fields and military honour, seemed
exclusively domestic. He asked and received no share in the busy scenes which
were constantly going on around him, and was rather annoyed than interested by
the discussion of contending claims, rights, and interests, which often passed
in his presence. All this pointed him out as the person formed to make happy a
spirit like that of Rose, which corresponded with his own.
    She remarked this point in Waverley's character one day while she sat with
Miss Bradwardine. »His genius and elegant taste,« answered Rose, »cannot be
interested in such trifling discussions. What is it to him, for example, whether
the Chief of the Macindallaghers, who has brought out only fifty men, should be
a colonel or a captain? and how could Mr. Waverley be supposed to interest
himself in the violent altercation between your brother and young Corrinaschian,
whether the post of honour is due to the eldest cadet of a clan or the
youngest?«
    »My dear Rose, if he were the hero you suppose him, he would interest
himself in these matters, not indeed as important in themselves, but for the
purpose of mediating between the ardent spirits who actually do make them the
subject of discord. You saw when Corrinaschian raised his voice in great
passion, and laid his hand upon his