He raised his head hastily, as Edward stood
uncertain whether to advance or retire, and Waverley perceived that his
cheeks were stained with tears.
As if ashamed at being found giving way to such emotion, Colonel Talbot
rose with apparent displeasure, and said, with some sternness, 'I think,
Mr. Waverley, my own apartment, and the hour, might have secured even a
prisoner against'--
'Do not say INTRUSION, Colonel Talbot; I heard you breathe hard, and
feared you were ill; that alone could have induced me to break in upon
you.'
'I am well,' said the Colonel, 'perfectly well.'
'But you are distressed,' said Edward: 'is there anything can be done?'
'Nothing, Mr. Waverley: I was only thinking of home, and of some
unpleasant occurrences there.'
'Good God, my uncle!' exclaimed Waverley.
'No,--it is a grief entirely my own. I am ashamed you should have seen
it disarm me so much; but it must have its course at times, that it may
be at others more decently supported. I would have kept it secret from
you; for I think it will grieve you, and yet you can administer no
consolation. But you have surprised me,--I see you are surprised
yourself,--and I hate mystery.
Pages:
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585