The horrid idea which she had intimated, Edward endeavoured to combat by every incoherent argument that occurred to him.  He recalled to her the principles on which both thought it their duty to act, and in which they had been educated.

‘Do not think I have forgotten them,’ she said, looking up with eager quickness; ’I do not regret his attempt because it was wrong!—­O no! on that point I am armed—­but because it was impossible it could end otherwise than thus.’

’Yet it did not always seem so desperate and hazardous as it was; and it would have been chosen by the bold spirit of Fergus whether you had approved it or no; your counsels only served to give unity and consistence to his conduct; to dignify, but not to precipitate, his resolution.’  Flora had soon ceased to listen to Edward, and was again intent upon her needlework.

‘Do you remember,’ she said, looking up with a ghastly smile, ’you once found me making Fergus’s bride-favours, and now I am sewing his bridal garment.  Our friends here,’ she continued, with suppressed emotion, ’are to give hallowed earth in their chapel to the bloody relics of the last Vich Ian Vohr.  But they will not all rest together; no—­his head!—­I shall not have the last miserable consolation of kissing the cold lips of my dear, dear Fergus!’

The unfortunate Flora here, after one or two hysterical sobs, fainted in her chair.  The lady, who had been attending in the ante-room, now entered hastily, and begged Edward to leave the room, but not the house.

When he was recalled, after the space of nearly half an hour, he found that, by a strong effort, Miss Mac-Ivor had greatly composed herself.  It was then he ventured to urge Miss Bradwardine’s claim to be considered as an adopted sister, and empowered to assist her plans for the future.

‘I have had a letter from my dear Rose,’ she replied, ’to the same purpose.  Sorrow is selfish and engrossing, or I would have written to express that, even in my own despair, I felt a gleam of pleasure at learning her happy prospects, and at hearing that the good old Baron has escaped the general wreck.  Give this to my dearest Rose; it is her poor Flora’s only ornament of value, and was the gift of a princess.’  She put into his hands a case containing the chain of diamonds with which she used to decorate her hair.  ’To me it is in future useless.  The kindness of my friends has secured me a retreat in the convent of the Scottish Benedictine nuns in Paris.  Tomorrow—­if indeed I can survive tomorrow—­I set forward on my journey with this venerable sister.  And now, Mr. Waverley, adieu!  May you be as happy with Rose as your amiable dispositions deserve; and think sometimes on the friends you have lost.  Do not attempt to see me again; it would be mistaken kindness.’

She gave him her hand, on which Edward shed a torrent of tears, and with a faltering step withdrew from the apartment, and returned to the town of Carlisle.  At the inn he found a letter from his law friend intimating that he would be admitted to Fergus next morning as soon as the Castle gates were opened, and permitted to remain with him till the arrival of the Sheriff gave signal for the fatal procession.