[Waverley, Or ’Tis Sixty Years Hence Complete by Sir Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link bookWaverley, Or ’Tis Sixty Years Hence Complete CHAPTER IV 5/7
Then arose in long and fair array the splendour of the bridal feast at Waverley-Castle; the tall and emaciated form of its real lord, as he stood in his pilgrim's weeds, an unnoticed spectator of the festivities of his supposed heir and intended bride; the electrical shock occasioned by the discovery; the springing of the vassals to arms; the astonishment of the bridegroom; the terror and confusion of the bride; the agony with which Wilibert observed that her heart as well as consent was in these nuptials; the air of dignity, yet of deep feeling, with which he flung down the half-drawn sword, and turned away for ever from the house of his ancestors.
Then would he change the scene, and fancy would at his wish represent Aunt Rachel's tragedy.
He saw the Lady Waverley seated in her bower, her ear strained to every sound, her heart throbbing with double agony, now listening to the decaying echo of the hoofs of the king's horse, and when that had died away, hearing in every breeze that shook the trees of the park, the noise of the remote skirmish.
A distant sound is heard like the rushing of a swoln stream; it comes nearer, and Edward can plainly distinguish the galloping of horses, the cries and shouts of men, with straggling pistol-shots between, rolling forwards to the Hall.
The lady starts up--a terrified menial rushes in--but why pursue such a description? As living in this ideal world became daily more delectable to our hero, interruption was disagreeable in proportion.
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