'And who is the fair lady, may I be permitted to ask, Miss Mac-Ivor?'
'Did not I tell you long since, that Fergus wooed no bride but Honour?' answered Flora.
'And am I then incapable of being his assistant and counsellor in the pursuit of honour?' said our hero, colouring deeply. 'Do I rank so low in your opinion?'
'Far from it, Captain Waverley. I would to God you were of our determination! and made use of the expression which displeased you, solely
Because you are not of our quality,
But stand against us as an enemy.'
'That time is past, sister,' said Fergus; 'and you may wish Edward Waverley (no longer captain) joy of being freed from the slavery to an usurper, implied in that sable and ill-omened emblem.'
'Yes,' said Waverley, undoing the cockade from his hat, 'it has pleased the king who bestowed this badge upon me, to resume it in a manner which leaves me little reason to regret his service.'
'Thank God for that!' cried the enthusiast;—'and oh that they may be blind enough to treat every man of honour who serves them with the same indignity, that I may have less to sigh for when the struggle approaches!
'And now, sister,' said the Chieftain, 'replace his cockade with one of a more lively colour, I think it was the fashion of the ladies of yore to arm and send forth their knights to high achievement.'
'Not,' replied the lady, 'till the knight adventurer had well weighed the justice and the danger of the cause, Fergus. Mr. Waverley is just now too much agitated by feelings of recent emotion, for me to press upon him a resolution of consequence.'