第80章

Themummery，too，ofexposingthesenselesshead-theyhavenotthewittograceminewithapapercoronet；therewouldbesomesatireinthat，Edward。IhopetheywillsetitontheScotchgatethough，thatImaylook，evenafterdeath，tothebluehillsofmyowncountry，whichIlovesodearly。TheBaronwouldhaveadded，Moritur，etmoriensdulces，reminisciturArgos。’’

Abustle，andthesoundofwheelsandhorses’feet，wasnowheardinthecourt-yardoftheCastle。AsIhavetoldyouwhyyoumustnotfollowme，andthesesoundsadmonishmethatmytimefliesfast，tellmehowyoufoundpoorFlora？’’

Waverley，withavoiceinterruptedbysuffocatingsensations，gavesomeaccountofthestateofhermind。

PoorFlora！’’answeredtheChief，Shecouldhaveborneherownsentenceofdeath，butnotmine。You，Waverley，willsoonknowthehappinessofmutualaffectioninthemarriedstate-long，long，mayRoseandyouenjoyit！-butyoucanneverknowthepurityoffeelingwhichcombinestwoorphans，likeFloraandme，leftaloneasitwereintheworld，andbeingallinalltoeachotherfromourveryinfancy。Butherstrongsenseofduty，andpredominantfeelingofloyalty，willgivenewnervetohermindaftertheimmediateandacutesensationofthispartinghaspassedaway。ShewillthenthinkofFergusasoftheheroesofourrace，uponwhosedeedsshelovedtodwell。’’

Shallshenotseeyou，then？’’askedWaverley。Sheseemedtoexpectit。’’

Anecessarydeceitwillspareherthelastdreadfulparting：

Icouldnotpartwithherwithouttears，andIcannotbearthatthesemenshouldthinktheyhavepowertoextortthem。Shewasmadetobelieveshewouldseemeatalaterhour，andthisletter，whichmyconfessorwilldeliver，willappriseherthatallisover。’’

Anofficernowappeared，andintimatedthattheHighSheriffandhisattendantswaitedbeforethegateoftheCastle，toclaimthebodiesofFergusMac-IvorandEvanMaccombich。I

come，’’saidFergus。Accordingly，supportingEdwardbythearm，andfollowedbyEvanDhuandthepriest，hemoveddownthestairsofthetower，thesoldiersbringinguptherear。Thecourtwasoccupiedbyasquadronofdragoonsandabattalionofinfantry，drawnupinhollowsquare。Withintheirrankswasthesledge，orhurdle，onwhichtheprisonersweretobedrawntotheplaceofexecution，aboutamiledistantfromCarlisle。Itwaspaintedblack，anddrawnbyawhitehorse。

AtoneendofthevehiclesattheExecutioner，ahorrid-lookingfellow，asbeseemedhistrade，withthebroadaxeinhishand；

attheotherend，nextthehorse，wasanemptyseatfortwopersons。ThroughthedeepanddarkGothicarchway，thatopenedonthedrawbridge，wereseenonhorsebacktheHighSheriffandhisattendants，whomtheetiquettebetwixtthecivilandmilitarypowersdidnotpermittocomefarther。Thisiswell=gotup=foraclosingscene，’’saidFergus，smilingdisdainfullyashegazedaroundupontheapparatusofterror。

EvanDhuexclaimedwithsomeeagerness，afterlookingatthedragoons，ThesearetheverychieldsthatgallopedoffatGladsmuir，beforewecouldkilladozeno’them。Theylookboldenoughnow，however。’’Thepriestentreatedhimtobesilent。

Thesledgenowapproached，andFergusturninground，embracedWaverley，kissedhimoneachsideoftheface，andsteppednimblyintohisplace。Evansatdownbyhisside。

Thepriestwastofollowinacarriagebelongingtohispatron，theCatholicgentlemanatwhosehouseFloraresided。AsFerguswavedhishandtoEdward，theranksclosedaroundthesledge，andthewholeprocessionbegantomoveforward。Therewasamomentarystopatthegateway，whilethegovernoroftheCastleandtheHighSheriffwentthroughashortceremony，themilitaryofficertheredeliveringoverthepersonsofthecriminalstothecivilpower。GodsaveKingGeorge！’’saidtheHighSheriff，Whentheformalityconcluded，Fergusstooderectinthesledge，andwithafirmandsteadyvoice，replied，GodsaveKing_James！_’’ThesewerethelastwordswhichWaverleyheardhimspeak。

Theprocessionresumeditsmarch，andthesledgevanishedfrombeneaththeportal，underwhichithadstoppedforaninstant。Thedeadmarchwasthenheard，anditsmelancholysoundsweremingledwiththoseofamuffledpeal，tolledfromtheneighbouringcathed