’Because you seek, or ought to seek, in the object of your attachment a heart whose principal delight should be in augmenting your domestic felicity and returning your affection, even to the height of romance.  To a man of less keen sensibility, and less enthusiastic tenderness of disposition, Flora Mac-Ivor might give content, if not happiness; for, were the irrevocable words spoken, never would she be deficient in the duties which she vowed.’

’And why,—­why, Miss Mac-Ivor, should you think yourself a more valuable treasure to one who is less capable of loving, of admiring you, than to me?’

’Simply because the tone of our affections would be more in unison, and because his more blunted sensibility would not require the return of enthusiasm which I have not to bestow.  But you, Mr. Waverley, would for ever refer to the idea of domestic happiness which your imagination is capable of painting, and whatever fell short of that ideal representation would be construed into coolness and indifference, while you might consider the enthusiasm with which I regarded the success of the royal family as defrauding your affection of its due return.’

‘In other words, Miss Mac-Ivor, you cannot love me?’ said her suitor dejectedly.

’I could esteem you, Mr. Waverley, as much, perhaps more, than any man I have ever seen; but I cannot love you as you ought to be loved.  O! do not, for your own sake, desire so hazardous an experiment!  The woman whom you marry ought to have affections and opinions moulded upon yours.  Her studies ought to be your studies; her wishes, her feelings, her hopes, her fears, should all mingle with yours.  She should enhance your pleasures, share your sorrows, and cheer your melancholy.’

’And why will not you, Miss Mac-Ivor, who can so well describe a happy union, why will not you be yourself the person you describe?’

‘Is it possible you do not yet comprehend me?’ answered Flora.  ’Have I not told you that every keener sensation of my mind is bent exclusively towards an event upon which, indeed, I have no power but those of my earnest prayers?’

‘And might not the granting the suit I solicit,’ said Waverley, too earnest on his purpose to consider what he was about to say, ’even advance the interest to which you have devoted yourself?  My family is wealthy and powerful, inclined in principles to the Stuart race, and should a favourable opportunity—­’

‘A favourable opportunity!’ said Flora—­somewhat scornfully.  ’Inclined in principles!  Can such lukewarm adherence be honourable to yourselves, or gratifying to your lawful sovereign?  Think, from my present feelings, what I should suffer when I held the place of member in a family where the rights which I hold most sacred are subjected to cold discussion, and only deemed worthy of support when they shall appear on the point of triumphing without it!’

‘Your doubts,’ quickly replied Waverley, ’are unjust as far as concerns myself.  The cause that I shall assert, I dare support through every danger, as undauntedly as the boldest who draws sword in its behalf.’