"I will trust him with no person but you," said the Prince, smiling, but peremptorily repeating his mandate; "it is of importance to my service that there should appear to be a good intelligence between you, even if you are unable to gain his confidence in earnest. You will therefore receive him into your quarters, and in case he declines giving his parole, you must apply for a proper guard. I beg you will go about this directly. We return to Edinburgh to-morrow."

Being thus remanded to the vicinity of Preston, Waverley lost the Baron of Bradwardine's solemn act of homage. So little, however, was he at this time in love with vanity, that he had quite forgotten the ceremony in which Fergus had laboured to engage his curiosity. But, next day a formal gazette was circulated, containing a detailed account of the Battle of Gladsmuir, as the Highlanders chose to denominate their victory. It concluded with an account of the Court afterward held by the Chevalier at Pinkie-house, which contained this, among other high-flown descriptive paragraphs :

"Since that fatal treaty which annihilates Scotland as an independent nation, it has not been our happiness to see her princes receive, and her nobles discharge, those acts of feudal homage, which, founded upon the splendid actions of Scottish valour, recall the memory of her early history, with the manly and chivalrous simplicity of the ties which united to the crown the homage of the warriors by whom it was repeatedly upheld and defended. But on the evening of the 20th, our memories were refreshed with one of those ceremonies which belong to the ancient days of Scotland's glory. After the circle was formed, Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine, of that ilk, colonel in the service, &c. &c. &c. came before the Prince, attended by Mr. D. Macwheeble, the baillie of his ancient barony of Bradwardine, (who, we understand, has been lately named a commissary,) and, under form of instrument, claimed permission to perform, to the person of his Royal Highness, as representing his father, the service used and wont, for which, under a charter of

Robert Bruce, (of which the original was produced and inspected by the Masters of his Royal Highness's chancery for the time being) the claimant held the barony of Bradwardine, and lands of Tully-Veolan. His claim being admitted and registered, his Royal Highness having placed his foot upon a cushion, the Baron of Bradwardine, kneeling upon his right knee, proceeded to undo the latchet of the brogue, or low-heeled Highland shoe, which our gallant young hero wears in compliment to his brave followers. When this was performed, his Royal Highness declared the ceremony completed; and, embracing the gallant veteran, protested that nothing but compliance with an ordinance of Robert Bruce, could have induced him to receive even the symbolical performance of a menial office from hands which had fought so bravely to put the crown upon the head of his father. The Baron of Bradwardine then took instruments in the hands of Mr. Commissary Macwheeble, bearing, that all points and circumstances of the act of homage had been rite et solenniter acta et peracta; and a corresponding entry was made in the protocol of the Lord High Chamberlain, and in the record of Chancery. We understand that it is in comtemplation of his Royal Highness, when his Majesty's pleasure can be known, to raise Colonel Bradwardine to the peerage, by the title of Viscount Bradwardine, of Bradwardine and Tully-Veolan, and that, in the meanwhile his Royal Highness, in his father's name and authority, has been pleased to grant him an honourable augmentation to his paternal coat of arms, being a budget or boot-jack, disposed saltier-wise with a naked broad-sword, to be borne in the dexter cantle of the shield; and, as an additional motto, on a scroll beneath, the words, Draw and draw off." "

6

"Were it not for the recollection of Fergus's raillery," thought Waverley to himself, when he had perused this long and grave document, "how very tolerably would all this sound, and how little should I have thought of connecting it with any ludicrous idea! Well, after all, every thing has its fair, as well as its seamy side; and

truly I do not see why the Baron's boot-jack may not stand as fair in heraldry as the water-buckets, wagons, cart-wheels, plough-socks, shuttles, candlesticks, and other ordinaries, conveying ideas of any thing save chivalry, which appear in the arms of some of our most ancient gentry." This, however, is an epsiode in respect

to the principal story.

When Waverley returned to Preston, and rejoined Colonel Talbot, he found him recovered from the strong and obvious emotions with which a concurrence of unpleasing events had affected him. He had regained his natural manner, which was that of an English gentleman and soldier, manly, open, and generous, but not unsusceptible of prejudice against those of a different country, or who opposed him in political tenets. When Waverley acquainted Colonel Talbot with the Chevalier's purpose to commit him to his charge, "I did not think to have owed so much obligation to that young gentleman," he said, "as is implied in this destination. I can at least cheerfully join in the prayer of the honest presbyterian clergyman, that, as he has come among us seeking an earthly crown, his labours may be speedily rewarded with a heavenly one.22 I shall willingly give my parole not to attempt an escape without your knowledge, since, in fact, it was to meet you that I came to Scotland; and I am glad it has happened even under this predicament. But I suppose we shall be but a short time together. Your Chevalier, (that is a name we may both give to him) with his plaids and blue caps, will, I presume, be continuing his crusade southward ?”

"Not as I hear; I believe the army makes some stay in Edinburgh, to collect reinforcements."

"And to besiege the Castle ?" said Talbot, smiling sarcastically. "Well, unless my old commander, General Preston turn false metal, or the Castle sink into the North Loch, events which I deem equally probable, I think we shall have some time to make up our acquaintance. I have a guess that this gallant Chevalier has a design that I should be your proselyte, and as! wish you to be mine,

there cannot be a more fair proposal, than to afford us fair conference together. But, as I spoke to-day under the influence of feelings I rarely give way to, I hope you will excuse my entering again upon controversy, till we are somewhat better acquainted."

CHAPTER XV.

Intrigues of Love and Politics.

It is not necessary to record in these pages the triumphant entrance of the Chevalier into Edinburgh after the decisive affair of Preston. One circumstance, however, may be noticed, because it illustrates the high spirit of Flora Mac-Ivor. The Highlanders, by whom the Prince was surrounded, in the license and extravagance of this joyful moment, fired their pieces repeatedly, and one of these having been accidentally loaded with ball, the bullet grazed the young lady's temple as she waved her handkerchief from a balcony.23 Fergus who beheld the accident was at her side in an instant; and, on seeing that the wound was trifling, he drew his broad-sword, with the purpose of rushing down upon the man by whose carelessness she had incurred so much danger, when, holding him by the plaid, "Do not harm the poor fellow," she cried, "for Heaven's sake do not harm him! but thank God with me that the accident happened to Flora Mac-Ivor; for had it befallen a whig, they would have pretended that the shot was fired on purpose."

Waverley escaped the alarm which this accident would have occasioned to him, as he was unavoidably delayed by the necessity of accompanying Colonel Talbot to Edinburgh.

They performed the journey together on horseback, and for some time, as if to sound each other's feelings

and sentiments, they conversed upon general and nary topics.

When Waverley again entered upon the subject he had most at heart, the situation, namely, of his and his uncle, Colonel Talbot seemed now rather ous to alieviate than to aggravate his anxiety. Th peared particularly to be the case when he heard verley's history, which he did not scruple to confi him. "And so," said the Colonel, there has no malice prepense, as lawyers, I think, term it, i rash step of yours; and you have been trepanned the service of this Italian knight-errant, by a few speeches from him and one or two of his Highlan cruiting sergeants? It is sadly foolish, to be sure, bu nearly so bad as I was led to expect. However cannot desert, even from the Pretender, at the pr moment, that seems impossible. But I have little that, in the dissensions incident to this heterogeneous of wild and desperate men, some opportunity may by availing yourself of which, you may extricate you honourably from your rash engagement before the b burst. If this can be managed, I would have you a place of safety in Flanders, which I shall point And I think I can secure your pardon from govern after a few months residence abroad."

"I cannot permit you, Colonel Talbot," answered verley, "to speak of any plan which turns on my dese an enterprize in which I may have engaged hastily, but tainly voluntarily, and with the purpose of abiding the is

"Well," said Colonel Talbot, smiling, "leave m thoughts and hopes at least at liberty, if not my spe But have you never examined your mysterious pack "It is in my baggage," replied Edward; "we s find it in Edinburgh."

In Edinburgh they soon arrived. Waverley's q ters had been assigned to him, by the Prince's exp orders, in a handsome lodging, where there was acc dation for Colonel Talbot. His first business was to amine his portmanteau, and, after a very short sea out tumbled the expected packet. Waverley opene