for you to quit it at this present moment, for, come what will,
you must stand by your rash engagement. But I with you to be aware
that the right is not with you; that you are fighting against the real
interests of your country; and that you ought, as an Englishman and a
patriot, to take the first opportunity to leave this unhappy expedition
before the snowball melts.'

In such political disputes, Waverley usually opposed the common
arguments of his party, with which it is unnecessary to trouble the
reader. But he had little to say when the Colonel urged him to compare
the strength by which they had undertaken to overthrow the Government,
with that which was now assembling very rapidly for its support. To this
statement Waverley had but one answer: 'If the cause I have undertaken
be perilous, there would be the greater disgrace in abandoning it.'
And in his turn he generally silenced Colonel Talbot, and succeeded in
changing the subject.

One night, when, after a long dispute of this nature, the friends
had separated, and our hero had retired to bed, he was awakened about
midnight by a suppressed groan. He started up and listened; it came from
the apartment of Colonel Talbot, which was divided from his own by a
wainscoted partition, with a door of communication. Waverley approached
this door, and distinctly heard one or two deep-drawn sighs. What could
be the matter? The Colonel had parted from him, apparently, in his
usual state of spirits. He must have been taken suddenly ill. Under
this impression, he opened the door of communication very gently, and
perceived the Colonel, in his nightgown, seated by a table, on which
lay a letter and a picture. He raised his head hastily, as Edward stood
uncertain whether to advance or retire, and Waverley perceived that his
cheeks were stained with tears.

As if ashamed at being found giving way to such emotion, Colonel Talbot
rose with apparent displeasure, and said, with some sternness, 'I think,
Mr. Waverley, my own apartment, and the hour, might have secured even a
prisoner against'--

'Do not say INTRUSION, Colonel Talbot; I heard you breathe hard, and
feared you were ill; that alone could have induced me to break in upon
you.'

'I am well,' said the Colonel, 'perfectly well.'

'But you are distressed,' said Edward: 'is there anything can be done?'

'Nothing, Mr. Waverley: I was only thinking of home, and of some
unpleasant occurrences there.'

'Good God, my uncle!'