Waverley · Chapter
XXII: Intrigues of Love and Politics explained
Waverley learns of the machinations that led to his troop's mutiny, orchestrated by Donald Bean Lean using Waverley's seal.
What happens
Waverley learns of the machinations that led to his troop's mutiny, orchestrated by Donald Bean Lean using Waverley's seal. Colonel Talbot advises Waverley to avoid further entanglement, and they travel to Edinburgh. Waverley examines his mysterious packet, finding letters from Colonel Gardiner that reveal the consequences of his absence.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Allegiance
Explored through the mutiny of Waverley's troop, Houghton's loyalty to Waverley, and the characters' shifting allegiances.
Romanticism vs. Reality
Waverley's romantic notions of adventure clash with the harsh realities of political intrigue and military discipline.
Identity and Belonging
Waverley's struggle with his identity as an English officer caught in the Jacobite cause.
Characters to notice
- Edward Waverley
Discovers the intrigues behind his troop's mutiny and receives advice from Colonel Talbot.
- Colonel Talbot
Accompanies Waverley to Edinburgh, offers counsel, and helps arrange the release of the young witness.
- Fergus MacIvor
Reacts with fury to Flora's accidental injury but is restrained by her plea.
- Flora MacIvor
Is grazed by a bullet during the Chevalier's entry into Edinburgh and shows high spirit by dismissing the danger.
- Donald Bean Lean
Revealed as the instigator who stole Waverley's seal and seduced the troopers into mutiny.
- Colonel Gardiner
Writes letters to Waverley expressing concern and later revises his opinion after Houghton's testimony.
- Humphry Houghton
Condemned to death by court-martial but spared by lot; shows penitence and defends Waverley's honor.
- Callum Beg
Dismissed by Waverley due to suspicion of spying.
Key passages
“His first journey to Dundee, the town where the regiment was quartered, undeceived him in his original supposition, but opened to him a new field of action.”
When Donald Bean Lean first went to Dundee, he realized his initial assumption was wrong, but he found a new opportunity for intrigue.
Describes Donald's shift in understanding and his new plan to seduce soldiers.
“The cabal, however, began to take air, from the premature mutinous language of those concerned.”
The conspiracy was discovered because the involved soldiers spoke too openly about their mutinous intentions.
Explains how the plot was exposed.
“If it was dishonourable and against Old England, the squire could know nought about it; he never did, or thought to do, anything dishonourable, no more didn’t Sir Everard, nor none of them afore him, and in that belief he would live and die that Ruffin had done it all of his own head.”
Houghton insisted that Waverley could not have been involved in anything dishonorable, and that the pedlar Ruffin acted alone.
Shows Houghton's unwavering faith in Waverley's integrity.
“Do not harm the poor fellow; for Heaven’s sake, do not harm him! but thank God with me that the accident happened to Flora MacIvor; for had it befallen a Whig, they would have pretended that the shot was fired on purpose.”
Flora begged Fergus not to punish the soldier who accidentally shot her, saying it was fortunate it happened to her rather than a Whig, who would have claimed it was intentional.
Highlights Flora's quick wit and political awareness.
