第17章
Afterhavingsatisfiedhiscuriositybygazingaroundhimforafewminutes，Waverleyappliedhimselftothemassiveknockerofthehalldoor，thearchitraveofwhichborethedate1594。
Butnoanswerwasreturned，thoughthepealresoundedthroughanumberofapartments，andwasechoedfromthecourt-yardwallswithoutthehouse，startlingthepigeonsfromthevenerablerotundawhichtheyoccupied，andalarminganeweventhedistantvillagecurs，whichhadretiredtosleepupontheirrespectivedunghills。Tiredofthedinwhichhecreated，andtheunprofitableresponseswhichitexcited，WaverleybegantothinkthathehadreachedthecastleofOrgoglio，asenteredbythevictoriousPrinceArthur，When’ganheloudlythroughthehousetocall，Butnomancaredtoanswertohiscry；
Therereignedasolemnsilenceoverall，Norvoicewasheard，norwightwasseen，inbowerorhall。
Filledalmostwithexpectationofbeholdingsomeold，oldman，withbeardaswhiteassnow，’’whomhemightquestionconcerningthisdesertedmansion，ourheroturnedtoalittleoakenwicket-door，wellclenchedwithironnails，whichopenedinthecourtyardwallatitsanglewiththehouse。Itwasonlylatched，notwithstandingitsfortifiedappearance，andwhenopenedadmittedhimintothegarden，whichpresentedapleasantscene。<>Thesouthernsideofthehouse，clothedwithfruit-trees，AtRavelstonmaybeseensuchagarden，whichthetasteoftheproprietor，theauthor’sfriendandkinsman，SirAlexanderKeith，KnightMareschal，hasjudiciouslypreserved。That，aswellasthehouse，is，however，ofsmallerdimensionsthantheBaronofBradwardine’smansionandgardenarepresumedtohavebeen。
andhavingmanyevergreenstraineduponitswalls，extendeditsirregularyetvenerablefrontalongaterrace，partlypaved，partlygravelled，partlyborderedwithflowersandchoiceshrubs。Thiselevationdescendedbythreeseveralflightsofsteps，placedinitscentreandattheextremities，intowhatmightbecalledthegardenproper，andwasfencedalongthetopbyastoneparapetwithaheavybalustrade，ornamentedfromspacetospacewithhugegrotesquefiguresofanimalsseatedupontheirhaunches，amongwhichthefavouritebearwasrepeatedlyintroduced。Placedinthemiddleoftheterrace，betweenasashed-dooropeningfromthehouseandthecentralflightofsteps，ahugeanimalofthesamespeciessupportedonhisheadandfore-pawsasun-dialoflargecircumferenceinscribedwithmorediagramsthanEdward’smathematicsenabledhimtodecipher。
Thegarden，whichseemedtobekeptwithgreataccuracy，aboundedinfruit-trees，andexhibitedaprofusionofflowersandevergreens，cutintogrotesqueforms。Itwaslaidoutinterraces，whichdescendedrankbyrankfromthewesternwalltoalargebrook，whichhadatranquilandsmoothappearance，whereitservedasaboundarytothegarden；but，neartheextremity，leaptintumultoverastrongdam，orwear-head，thecauseofitstemporarytranquillity，andthereformingacascade，wasoverlookedbyanoctangularsummer-house，withagildedbearonthetopbywayofvane。Afterthisfeat，thebrook，assumingitsnaturalrapidandfiercecharacter，escapedfromtheeyedownadeepandwoodeddell，fromthecopseofwhicharoseamassive，butruinoustower，theformerhabitationoftheBaronsofBradwardine。Themarginofthebrook，oppositetothegarden，displayedanarrowmeadow，orhaugh，asitwascalled，whichformedasmallwashing-green；thebank，whichretiredbehindit，wascoveredbyancienttrees。
Thescene，thoughpleasing，wasnotquiteequaltothegardensofAlcina；yetwantednotthe_duedonzellettegarrule_’’
ofthatenchantedparadise，foruponthegreenaforesaidtwobare-leggeddamsels，eachstandinginaspacioustub，performedwiththeirfeettheofficeofapatentwashing-machine。Thesedidnot，however，likethemaidensofArmida，remaintogreetwiththeirharmonytheapproachingguest，but，alarmedattheappearanceofahandsomestrangerontheoppositeside，droppedtheirgarments(Ishouldsaygarment，tobequitecorrect)overtheirlimbs，whichtheiroccupationexposedsomewhattoofreely，and，withashrillexclamationofEh，sirs！’’utteredwithanaccentbetweenmodestyandcoquetry，sprungofflikedeerindifferentdirections。
Waverleybegantodespairofgainingentranceintothissolitaryandseeminglyenchantedmansion，whenamanadvanceduponeofthegardenalleys，wherehestillretainedhisstation。
Trustingthismightbeagardener，orsomedomesticbelongingtothehouse，Edwarddescendedthestepsinordertomeethim；
butasthefigureapproached，andlongbeforehecoulddescryitsfeatures，hewasstruckwiththeoddityofitsappearanceandgestures-Sometimesthismisterwightheldhishandsclaspedoverhishead，likeanIndianJogueintheattitudeofpenance；
sometimesheswungthemperpendicularly，likeapendulum，oneachside；andanonheslappedthemswiftlyandrepeatedlyacrosshisbreast，likethesubstituteusedbyahackney-coachmanforhisusualfloggingexercise，whenhiscattleareidleuponthestandinaclearfrostyday。Hisgaitwasassingularashisgestures，forattimeshehoppedwithgreatperseveranceontherightfoot，thenexchangedthatsupportertoadvanceinthesamemannerontheleft，andthenputtinghisfeetclosetogether，hehoppeduponbothatonce。Hisattire，also，wasantiquatedandextravagant。Itconsistedinasortofgreyjerkin，withscarletcuffsandslashedsleeves，showingascarletlining；theotherpartsofthedresscorrespondedincolour，notforgettingapairofscarletstockings，andascarletbonnet，proudlysurmountedwithaturkey’sfeather。Edward，whomhedidnotseemtoobserve，nowperceivedconfirmationinhisfeaturesofwhatthemienandgestureshadalreadyannounced。
Itwasapparentlyneitheridiocynorinsanitywhichgavethatwild，unsettled，irregularexpressiontoafacewhichnaturallywasratherhandsome，butsomethingthatresembledacompoundofboth，wherethesimplicityofthefoolwasmixedwiththeextravaganceofacrazedimagination。Hesungwithgreatearnestness，andnotwithoutsometaste，afragmentofanoldScottishditty：-
Falselove，andhastthouplayedmethusInsummeramongtheflowers？
IwillrepaytheebackagainInwinteramongtheshowers。
Unlessagain，again，mylove，Unlessyouturnagain；
Asyouwithothermaidensrove，I’llsmileonothermen。<>
Thisisagenuineancientfragment，withsomealterationinthelasttwolines。
Hereliftinguphiseyes，whichhadhithertobeenfixedinobservinghowhisfeetkepttimetothetune，hebeheldWaverley，andinstantlydoffedhiscap，withmanygrotesquesignalsofsurprise，respect，andsalutation。Edward，thoughwithlittlehopeofreceivingananswer，toanyconstantquestion，requestedtoknowwhetherMr。Bradwardinewereathome，orwherehecouldfindanyofthedomestics。Thequestionedpartyreplied，-and，likethewitchofThalaba，stillhisspeechwassong，’’-
TheKnight’stothemountainHisbugletowind；
TheLady’stogreenwood。
Hergarlandtobind。
ThebowerofBurdEllenHasmossonthefloor，ThatthestepofLordWilliamBesilentandsure。
Thisconveyednoinformation，andEdward，repeatinghisqueries，receivedarapidanswer，inwhich，fromthehasteandpeculiarityofthedialect，thewordbutler’’wasaloneintelligible。
Waverleythenrequestedtoseethebutler；uponwhichthefellow，withaknowinglookandnodofintelligence，madeasignaltoEdwardtofollow，andbegantodanceandcaperdownthealleyupwhichhehadmadehisapproaches-Astrangeguidethis，thoughtEdward，andnotmuchunlikeoneofShakspeare’sroynishclowns。Iamnotoverprudenttotrusttohispilotage；butwisermenhavebeenledbyfools-Bythistimehereachedthebottomofthealley，where，turningshortonalittleparterreofflowers，shroudedfromtheeastandnorthbyacloseyewhedge，hefoundanoldmanatworkwithouthiscoat，whoseappearancehoveredbetweenthatofanupperservantandgardener；hisrednoseandruffledshirtbelongingtotheformerprofession；hishaleandsun-burntvisage，withhisgreenapron，appearingtoindicateOldAdam’slikeness，settodressthisgarden。
Themajordomo-forsuchhewas，andindisputablythesecondofficerofstateinthebarony(nay，aschiefministeroftheinterior，superioreventoBailieMacwheeble，inhisowndepartmentofthekitchenandcellar)-themajordomolaiddownhisspade，slippedonhiscoatinhaste，andwithawrathfullookatEdward’sguide，probablyexcitedbyhishavingintroducedastrangerwhilehewasengagedinthislaborious，and，ashemightsupposeit，degradingoffice，requestedtoknowthegentleman’scommands。Beinginformedthathewishedtopayhisrespectstohismaster，thathisnamewasWaverley，andsoforth，theoldman’scountenanceassumedagreatdealofrespectfulimportance。Hecouldtakeituponhisconsciencetosay，hishonourwouldhaveexceedingpleasureinseeinghim。
WouldnotMr。Waverleychoosesomerefreshmentafterhisjourney？Hishonourwaswiththefolkwhoweregettingdoonthedarkhag；thetwagardenerlads(anemphasisontheword_twa_)hadbeenorderedtoattendhim；andhehadbeenjustamusinghimselfinthemeantimewithdressingMissRose’sflower-bed，thathemightbeneartoreceivehishonour’sorders，ifneedwere：hewasveryfondofagarden，buthadlittletimeforsuchdivertisements。’’
Hecannagetitwroughtinabunetwadaysintheweekatnoratewhatever，’’saidEdward’sfantasticconductor。
Agrimlookfromthebutlerchastisedhisinterference，andhecommandedhimbythenameofDavieGellatley，inatonewhichadmittednodiscussion，tolookforhishonouratthedarkhag，andtellhimtherewasagentlemanfromthesouthhadarrivedattheHa’。
Canthispoorfellowdeliveraletter？’’askedEdward。
Withallfidelity，Sir，toanyonewhomherespects。Iwouldhardlytrusthimwithalongmessagebywordofmouth-thoughheismoreknavethanfool。’’
WaverleydeliveredhiscredentialstoMr。Gellatley，whoseemedtoconfirmthebutler’slastobservation，bytwistinghisfeaturesathim，whenhewaslookinganotherway，intotheresemblanceofthegrotesquefaceonthebowlofaGermantobacco-pipe；afterwhich，withanoddcong
Heisaninnocent，sir，’’saidthebutler；thereisonesuchinalmosteverytowninthecountry，butoursisbroughtfarben。<>Heusedtoworkaday’sturnweeleneugh；buthe(Aglossaryofprovincialtermswillbefoundattheendofthevolume。)
help’dMissRosewhenshewasflemitwiththeLairdofKillancureit’snewEnglishbull，andsincethattimeweca’himDavieDo-little；indeedwemightca’himDavieDo-naething，forsincehegotthatgayclothing，topleasehishonourandmyyoungmistress(greatfolkswillhavetheirfancies)，hehasdonenaethingbutdanceupanddownaboutthe_toun，_withoutdoingasingleturn，unlesstrimmingthelairdsfishing-wandorbuskinghisflies，ormaybecatchingadishoftroutsatanorra-time。
ButherecomesMissRose，who，Itakeburdenuponmeforher，willbeespeciallygladtoseeoneofthehouseofWaverleyatherfather’smansionatTully-Veolan。’’
ButRoseBradwardinedeservesbetterofherunworthyhistorian，thantobeintroducedattheendofachapter。Inthemeanwhileitmaybenoticed，thatWaverleylearnedtwothingsfromthiscolloquy；thatinScotlandasinglehousewascalleda_town，_andanaturalfoolan_innocent。_<>
IamignoranthowlongtheancientandestablishedcustomofkeepingfoolshasbeendisusedinEngland。SwiftwritesanepitaphontheEarlofSuffolk’sfool，-
WhosenamewasDickiePearce。’’
InScotlandthecustomsubsistedtilllateinthelastcentury。AtGlammisCastleispreservedthedressofoneofthejesters，veryhandsome，andornamentedwithmanybells。ItisnotabovethirtyyearssincesuchacharacterstoodbythesideboardofanoblemanofthefirstrankinScotland，andoccasionallymixedintheconversation，tillhecarriedthejokerathertoofar，inmakingproposalstooneoftheyoungladiesofthefamily，andpublishingthebannsbetwixtherandhimselfinthepublicchurch。
MissBradwardinewasbutseventeen；yet，atthelastracesofthecountytownof，uponherhealthbeingproposedamongaroundofbeauties，theLairdofBumperquaigh，permanenttoastmasterandcroupieroftheBautherwhilleryClub，notonlysaid_More_tothepledgeinapintbumperofBourdeaux，but，erepouringforththelibation，denominatedthedivinitytowhomitwasdedicated，theRoseofTully-Veolan；’’uponwhichfestiveoccasion，threecheersweregivenbyallthesittingmembersofthatrespectablesociety，whosethroatsthewinehadleftcapableofsuchexertion。Nay，Iamwellassured，thatthesleepingpartnersofthecompanysnortedapplause，andthatalthoughstrongbumpersandweakbrainshadconsignedtwoorthreetothefloor，yeteventhese，fallenastheywerefromtheirhighestate，andweltering-Iwillcarrytheparodynofarther-uttereddiversinarticulatesounds，intimatingtheirassenttothemotion。
Suchunanimousapplausecouldnotbeextortedbutbyacknowledgedmerit；andRoseBradwardinenotonlydeservedit，butalsotheapprobationofmuchmorerationalpersonsthantheBautherwhilleryClubcouldhavemustered，evenbeforediscussionofthefirst_magnum。_ShewasindeedaveryprettygirloftheScotchcastofbeauty，thatis，withaprofusionofhairofpaleygold，andaskinlikethesnowofherownmountainsinwhiteness。Yetshehadnotapallidorpensivecastofcountenance；herfeatures，aswellashertemper，hadalivelyexpression；hercomplexion，thoughnotflorid，wassopureastoseemtransparent，andtheslightestemotionsentherwholebloodatoncetoherfaceandneck。Herform，thoughunderthecommonsize，wasremarkablyelegant，andhermotionslight，easy，andunembarrassed。ShecamefromanotherpartofthegardentoreceiveCaptainWaverley，withamannerthathoveredbetweenbashfulnessandcourtesy。
Thefirstgreetingspast，Edwardlearnedfromherthatthe_darkhag，_whichhadsomewhatpuzzledhiminthebutler’saccountofhismaster’savocations，hadnothingtodoeitherwithablackcatorabroomstick，butwassimplyaportionofoakcopsewhichwastobefelledthatday。Sheoffered，withdiffidentcivility，toshowthestrangerthewaytothespot，which，itseems，wasnotfardistant；buttheywerepreventedbytheappearanceoftheBaronofBradwardineinperson，who，summonedbyDavidGellatley，nowappeared，onhospitablethoughtsintent，’’clearingthegroundataprodigiousratewithswiftandlongstrides，whichremindedWaverleyoftheseven-leaguebootsofthenurseryfable。Hewasatall，thin，athleticfigure；oldindeed，andgrey-haired，butwitheverymusclerenderedastoughaswhip-cordbyconstantexercise。Hewasdressedcarelessly，andmorelikeaFrenchmanthananEnglishmanoftheperiod，while，fromhishardfeaturesandperpendicularrigidityofstature，heboresomeresemblancetoaSwissofficeroftheguards，whohadresidedsometimeatParis，andcaughtthe_costume，_butnottheeaseormannerofitsinhabitants。
Thetruthwas，thathislanguageandhabitswereasheterogeneousashisexternalappearance。
Owingtohisnaturaldispositiontostudy，orperhapstoaverygeneralScottishfashionofgivingyoungmenofrankalegaleducation，hehadbeenbredwithaviewtothebar。Butthepoliticsofhisfamilyprecludingthehopeofhisrisinginthatprofession，Mr。Bradwardinetravelledwithhighreputationforseveralyears，andmadesomecampaignsinforeignservice。
Afterhis_d