# A Confidant explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Waverley awakens to the full horror of his situation, fearing military law or a Scottish trial. He bitterly regrets not joining Fergus MacIvor and the Jacobite cause. Mr. Morton, a Presbyterian clergyman, visits and offers his help. Waverley confides in him, recounting his visit to Donald Bean Lean. Morton warns him about his upcoming escort by the Cameronian Gilfillan and promises to assist in his exculpation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Belonging

Waverley questions his allegiance and regrets not following his family's Jacobite tradition.

### Loyalty and Allegiance

Waverley's internal conflict over loyalty to the government versus the Stuart cause is central.

### Honor and Duty

Waverley reflects on his duty as a man of honour and his failure to act.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Wakes in despair, regrets not joining the Jacobites, and confides in Mr. Morton.

### Mr. Morton

Visits Waverley, offers his help, and listens to his account of events.

### Major Melville

Described as cold and calculating; Waverley detests him.

### Gilfillan

A Cameronian leader who will escort Waverley to Stirling.

### Fergus MacIvor

Waverley regrets not joining him; his prophecy is recalled.

### Donald Bean Lean

Waverley's visit to him is recounted to Mr. Morton.

## Key lines

> Why did not I, like other men of honour, take the earliest opportunity to welcome to Britain the descendant of her ancient kings and lineal heir of her throne?

Waverley regrets not immediately joining Prince Charles Edward Stuart's cause.

_Waverley's self-reproach for not acting on his family's Jacobite loyalties._

> I detest that cold-blooded calculating Scotch magistrate. I hope he and I shall never meet more.

Waverley expresses strong dislike for Major Melville's cold and methodical manner.

_Waverley's resentment toward Major Melville's treatment of him._

> This man Bean Lean is renowned through the country as a sort of Robin Hood, and the stories which are told of his address and enterprise are the common tales of the winter fireside.

Mr. Morton describes Donald Bean Lean as a legendary outlaw figure.

_Morton's characterization of Donald Bean Lean as a romanticized bandit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-a-confidant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters