A BRAVE MAN IN SORROW If my fair readers should be of opinion that my hero's levity in love is altogether unpardonable, I must remind them that all his griefs and difficulties did not arise from that sentimental source.

Even the lyric poet, who complains so feelingly of the pains of love, could not forget, that, at the same time, he was 'in debt and in drink,' which, doubtless, were great aggravations of his distress.

There were indeed whole days in which Waverley thought neither of Flora nor Rose Bradwardine, but which were spent in melancholy conjectures on the probable state of matters at Waverley-Honour, and the dubious issue of the civil contest in which he was pledged.

Colonel Talbot often engaged him in discussions upon the justice of the cause he had espoused.

'Not,' he said, 'that it is possible for you to quit it at this present moment, for, come what will, you must stand by your rash engagement.