It was the very sort of service which he was desirous to undertake, judging it might constitute a merit of such a nature as would make amends for any peccadilloes which he might be guilty of in the country.

He had the art, however, pleading all the while duty and discipline, to hold off, until poor Rose, in the extremity of her distress, offered to bribe him to the enterprise with some valuable jewels which had been her mother's.
Donald Bean, who had served in France, knew, and perhaps over-estimated, the value of these trinkets.

But he also perceived Rose's apprehensions of its being discovered that she had parted with her jewels for Waverley's liberation.

Resolved this scruple should not part him and the treasure, he voluntarily offered to take an oath that he would never mention Miss Rose's share in the transaction; and foreseeing convenience in keeping the oath, and no probable advantage in breaking it, he took the engagement--in order, as he told his lieutenant, to deal handsomely by the young lady--in the only form and mode which, by a mental paction with himself, he considered as binding--he swore secrecy upon his drawn dirk.

He was the more especially moved to this act of good faith by some attentions that Miss Bradwardine showed to his daughter Alice, which, while they gained the heart of the mountain damsel, highly gratified the pride of her father.