CHAPTER XLI.
THE MYSTERY BEGINS TO BE CLEARED UP 'How do you like him ?' was Fergus's first question, as they descended the large stone staircase.
'A prince to live and die under,' was Waverley's enthusiastic answer.
'I knew you would think so when you saw him, and I intended you should have met earlier, but was prevented by your sprain.

And yet he has his foibles, or rather he has difficult cards to play, and his Irish officers, [See note 24.] who are much about him, are but sorry advisers,--they cannot discriminate among the numerous pretensions that are set up.

Would you think it--I have been obliged for the present to suppress an earl's patent, granted for services rendered ten years ago, for fear of exciting the jealousy, forsooth, of C-- and M--.

But you were very right, Edward, to refuse the situation of aide de camp.

There are two vacant, indeed, but Clanronald and Lochiel, and almost all of us, have requested one for young Aberchallader, and the Lowlanders and the Irish party are equally desirous to have the other for the Master of F--.