Walton (Lord), father of Elvi´ra, who promised his daughter in marriage to Sir Richard Forth, a puritan officer; but Elvira had already plighted her love to Lord Arthur Talbot, a cavalier. The betrothal was set aside, and Elvira married Arthur Talbot at last.--Bellini, Il Puritani (opera, 1834).
Walton (Sir John de), governor of Douglas Castle.--Sir W. Scott, Castle Dangerous (time, Henry I.).
Wamba, “the son of Witless,” the jester of Cedric, the Saxon, of Rotherwood.--Sir W. Scott, Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).
Wampum, a string or belt of whelk-shells, current with the North American Indians as a medium of exchange, and always sent as a present to those with whom an alliance or treaty is made.
Peace be to thee! my words this belt approve.
Campbell, Gertrude of Wyoming, i. 14 (1809).
Our wampum league thy brethren did embrace.
Ibid, i. 15.
Wanda, proud, high-bred German beauty, who loves and weds a man, believing him to be of noble birth. Accident reveals the mistake, and she drives him from her in anger. After long separation, he rescues their child from death, and dies in the arms of his remorseful wife.--Ouida, Wanda.
Wanderers. It is said that gypsies are doomed to be wanderers on the face of the earth, because they refused hospitality to the Virgin and Child, when the holy family fled into Egypt. (See Wild Huntsman.)--Aventinus, Annalium Boiorum, libri septem (1554).