'
'Why,' replied Fergus, 'I can only tell you that she is well, and
residing for the present with a relation in this city. I thought it
better she should come here, as since our success a good many ladies of
rank attend our military court; and I assure you that there is a sort of
consequence annexed to the near relative of such a person as Flora
Mac-Ivor, and where there is such a justling of claims and requests, a
man must use every fair means to enhance his importance.'
There was something in this last sentence which grated on Waverley's
feelings. He could not bear that Flora should be considered as conducing
to her brother's preferment by the admiration which she must
unquestionably attract; and although it was in strict correspondence with
many points of Fergus's character, it shocked him as selfish, and
unworthy of his sister's high mind and his own independent pride. Fergus,
to whom such manoeuvres were familiar, as to one brought up at the French
court, did not observe the unfavourable impression which he had unwarily
made upon his friend's mind, and concluded by saying,' that they could
hardly see Flora before the evening, when she would be at the concert and
ball with which the Prince's party were to be entertained.
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