averley, it may easily be believed, looked upon these young ladies with
very different eyes. During the period of the siege, he paid them almost
daily visits, although he observed with regret that his suit made as
little progress in the affections of the former as the arms of the
Chevalier in subduing the fortress. She maintained with rigour the rule
she had laid down of treating him with indifference, without either
affecting to avoid him, or to shun intercourse with him. Every word,
every look, was strictly regulated to accord with her system, and
neither the dejection of Waverley, nor the anger which Fergus scarcely
suppressed, could extend Flora's attention to Edward beyond that
which the most ordinary politeness demanded. On the other hand, Rose
Bradwardine gradually rose in Waverley's opinion. He had several
opportunities of remarking, that, as her extreme timidity wore off, her
manners received a higher character; that the agitating circumstances
of the stormy time seemed to call forth a certain dignity of feeling and
expression, which he had not formerly observed; and that she omitted
no opportunity within her reach to extend her knowledge and refine her
taste.

Flora Mac-Ivor called Rose her pupil, and was attentive to assist her in
her studies, and to fashion both her taste and understanding. It might
have been remarked by a very close observer, that in the presence of
Waverley she was much more desirous to exhibit her friend's excellences
than her own. But I must request of the reader to suppose, that this
kind and disinterested purpose was concealed by the most cautious
delicacy, studiously shunning the most distant approach to affectation.
So that it was as unlike the usual exhibition of one pretty woman
affecting to PRONER another, as the friendship of David and Jonathan
might be to the intimacy of two Bond-street loungers.

The fact is, that, though the effect was felt, the cause could hardly be
observed. Each of the ladies, like two excellent actresses, were perfect
in their parts, and performed them to the delight of the audience; and
such being the case, it was almost impossible to discover that the
elder constantly ceded to her friend that which was most suitable to her
talents.

But to Waverley, Rose Bradwardine possessed an attraction which few men
can resist, from the marked interest which she took in everything that
effected him. She was too young and too inexperienced to estimate the
full forc