accession to the mutiny in
the regiment; and in the unfortunate state of the country, the mere
suspicion of disaffection, or an inclination to join the insurgent
Jacobites, might infer criminality indeed, but certainly not dishonour.
Besides, a person whom the Major trusted had reported to him (though,
as it proved, inaccurately) a contradiction of the agitating news of the
preceding evening. According to this second edition of the intelligence,
the Highlanders had withdrawn from the Lowland frontier with the purpose
of following the army in their march to Inverness. The Major was at a
loss, indeed, to reconcile his information with the well-known abilities
of some of the gentlemen in the Highland army, yet it was the course
which was likely to be most agreeable to others. He remembered the
same policy had detained them in the north in the year 1715, and he
anticipated a similar termination to the insurrection as upon that
occasion.

This news put him in such good humour, that he readily acquiesced in Mr.
Morton's proposal to pay some hospitable attention to his unfortunate
guest, and voluntarily added, he hoped the whole affair would prove a
youthful escapade, which might be easily atoned by a short confinement.
The kind mediator had some trouble to prevail on his young friend to
accept the invitation. He dared not urge to him the real motive, which
was a good-natured wish to secure a favourable report of Waverley's case
from Major Melville to Governor Blakeney. He remarked, from the flashes
of our hero's spirit, that touching upon this topic would be sure to
defeat his purpose. He therefore pleaded, that the invitation argued the
Major's disbelief of any part of the accusation which was inconsistent
with Waverley's conduct as a soldier and a man of honour, and that to
decline his courtesy might be interpreted into a consciousness that it
was unmerited. In short, he so far satisfied Edward that the manly and
proper course was to meet the Major on easy terms, that, suppressing
his strong dislike again to encounter his cold and punctilious civility,
Waverley agreed to be guided by his new friend. The meeting, at first,
was stiff and formal enough. But Edward, having accepted the invitation,
and his mind being really soothed and relieved by the kindness of
Morton, held himself bound to behave with ease, though he could not
affect cordiality. The Major was somewhat of a BON VIVANT, and his wine
was excellent. He told his o