DesiroustobindWaverleytohisservice，andwishingalsotodoakindandfriendlyaction，thePrincenextassailedtheBarononthesubjectofsettlinghisestateuponhisdaughter。
　　Mr。Bradwardineacquiesced；buttheconsequencewas，thatFerguswasimmediatelyinducedtopreferhisdoublesuitforawifeandanearldom，whichtheprincerejectedinthemannerwehaveseen。TheChevalier，constantlyengagedinhisownmultipliedaffairs，hadnothithertosoughtanyexplanationwithWaverley，thoughoftenmeaningtodoso。ButafterFergus’sdeclaration，hesawthenecessityofappearingneutralbetweentherivals，devoutlyhopingthatthematter，whichnowseemedfraughtwiththeseedsofstrife，mightbepermittedtolieovertilltheterminationoftheexpedition。WhenonthemarchtoDerby，Fergus，beingquestionedconcerninghisquarrelwithWaverley，allegedasthecause，thatEdwardwasdesirousofretractingthesuithemadetohissister，theChevalierplainlytoldhim，thathehadhimselfobservedMissMac-Ivor’sbehaviourtoWaverley，andthathewasconvincedthatFerguswasundertheinfluenceofamistakeinjudgingofWaverley’sconduct，who，hehadeveryreasontobelieve，wasengagedtoMissBradwardine。ThequarrelwhichensuedbetweenEdwardandthechieftainis，Ihope，stillintheremembranceofthereader。Thesecircumstanceswillservetoexplainsuchpointsofournarrativeas，accordingtothecustomofstory-tellers，wedeemeditfittoleaveunexplained，forthepurposeofexcitingthereader’scuriosity。
　　WhenJanethadoncefinishedtheleadingfactsofthisnarrative，Waverleywaseasilyenabledtoapplytheclewwhichtheyafforded，toothermazesofthelabyrinthinwhichhehadbeenengaged。ToRoseBradwardine，then，heowedthelifewhichhenowthoughthecouldwillinglyhavelaiddowntoserveher。Alittlereflectionconvincedhim，however，thattoliveforhersakewasmoreconvenientandagreeable，andthat，beingpossessedofindependence，shemightshareitwithhimeitherinforeigncountriesorinhisown。ThepleasureofbeingalliedtoamanoftheBaron’shighworth，andwhowassomuchvaluedbyhisuncleSirEverard，wasalsoanagreeableconsideration，hadanythingbeenwantingtorecommendthematch。Hisabsurdities，whichhadappearedgrotesquelyludicrousduringhisprosperity，seemed，inthesunsetofhisfortune，tobeharmonisedandassimilatedwiththenoblefeaturesofhischaracter，soastoaddpeculiaritywithoutexcitingridicule。
　　Hismindoccupiedwithsuchprojectsoffuturehappiness，EdwardsoughtLittleVeolan，thehabitationofMr。DuncanMacwheeble。
　　NowisCupidlikeachildofconscience-hemakesrestitution。
　　Shakspeare。
　　Mr。DuncanMacwheeble，nolongercommissaryorBailie，thoughstillenjoyingtheemptynameofthelatterdignity，hadescapedproscriptionbyanearlysecessionfromtheinsurgentparty，andbyhisinsignificance。
　　Edwardfoundhiminhisoffice，immersedamongpapersandaccounts。Beforehimwasalargebickerofoatmeal-porridge，andatthesidethereof，ahorn-spoonandabottleoftwo-penny。
　　Eagerlyrunninghiseyeoveravoluminouslaw-paper，hefromtimetotimeshovelledanimmensespoonfulofthesenutritiveviandsintohiscapaciousmouth。Apot-belliedDutchbottleofbrandywhichstoodby，intimatedeitherthatthishonestlimbofthelawhadtakenhis_morning_already，orthathemeanttoseasonhisporridgewithsuchdigestive；orperhapsbothcircumstancesmightreasonablybeinferred。Hisnight-capandmorning-gownhadwhilomebeenoftartan，but，equallycautiousandfrugal，thehonestBailiehadgotthemdyedblack，lesttheiroriginalill-omenedcolourmightremindhisvisitorsofhisunluckyexcursiontoDerby。Tosumupthepicture，hisfacewasdaubedwithsnuffuptotheeyes，andhisfingerswithinkuptotheknuckles。HelookeddubiouslyatWaverleyasheapproachedthelittlegreenrailwhichfencedhisdeskandstoolfromtheapproachofthevulgar。NothingcouldgivetheBailiemoreannoyancethantheideaofhisacquaintancebeingclaimedbyanyoftheunfortunategentlemenwhowerenowsomuchmorelikelytoneedassistancethantoaffordprofit。ButthiswastherichyoungEnglishman-whoknewwhatmightbehissituation？-hewastheBaron’sfriendtoo-whatwastobedone？
　　Whilethesereflectionsgaveanairofabsurdperplexitytothepoorman’svisage，Waverley，reflectingonthecommunicationhewasabouttomaketohim，ofanaturesoridiculouslycontrastedwiththeappearanceoftheindividual，couldnothelpburstingouta-laughing，ashecheckedthepropensitytoexclaimwithSyphax-
　　Cato’saproperpersontointrustAlove-talewith。
　　AsMr。Macwheeblehadnoideaofanypersonlaughingheartilywhowaseitherencircledbyperiloroppressedbypoverty，thehilarityofEdward’scountenancegreatlyrelievedtheembarrassmentofhisown，and，givinghimatolerablyheartywelcometoLittleVeolan，heaskedwhathewouldchooseforbreakfast。Hisvisitorhad，inthefirstplace，somethingforhisprivateear，andbeggedleavetoboltthedoor。Duncanbynomeanslikedthisprecaution，whichsavouredofdangertobeapprehended；buthecouldnotnowdrawback。
　　Convincedhemighttrustthisman，ashecouldmakeithisinteresttobefaithful，EdwardcommunicatedhispresentsituationandfutureschemestoMacwheeble。ThewilyagentlistenedwithapprehensionwhenhefoundWaverleywasstillinastateofproscription-wassomewhatcomfortedbylearningthathehadapassport-rubbedhishandswithgleewhenhementionedtheamountofhispresentfortune-openedhugeeyeswhenheheardthebrilliancyofhisfutureexpectations；
　　butwhenheexpressedhisintentiontosharethemwithMissRoseBradwardine，ecstasyhadalmostdeprivedthehonestmanofhissenses。TheBailiestartedfromhisthree-footedstoollikethePythonessfromhertripod；flunghisbestwigoutofthewindow，becausetheblockonwhichitwasplacedstoodinthewayofhiscareer；chuckedhiscaptotheceiling，caughtitasitfell；whistledTullochgorum；dancedaHighlandflingwithinimitablegraceandagility；andthenthrewhimselfexhaustedintoachair，exclaiming，LadyWauverley！-tenthousanda-year，theleastpenny！-Lordpreservemypoorunderstanding！’’-
　　Amen，withallmyheart，’’saidWaverley；-butnow，Mr。Macwheeble，letusproceedtobusiness。’’Thiswordhadasomewhatsedativeeffect，buttheBailie’shead，asheexpressedhimself，wasstillinthebees。’’Hemendedhispen，however，markedhalf-adozensheetsofpaperwithanamplemarginalfold，whippeddownDallasofSt。Martin’sStylesfromashelf，wherethatvenerableworkroosted，withStair’sInstitutions，Dirleton’sDoubts，Balfour’sPractiques，andaparcelofoldaccount-books-openedthevolumeatthearticleContractofMarriage，andpreparedtomakewhathecalledasma’minute，topreventpartiesfraeresiling。’’
　　Withsomedifficulty，Waverleymadehimcomprehendthathewasgoingalittletoofast。Heexplainedtohimthatheshouldwanthisassistance，inthefirstplace，tomakehisresidencesafeforthetime，bywritingtotheofficeratTully-Veolan，thatMr。Stanley，anEnglishgentleman，nearlyrelatedtoColonelTalbot，wasuponavisitofbusinessatMr。Macwheeble’sand，knowingthestateofthecountry，hadsenthispassportforCaptainFoster’sinspection。Thisproducedapoliteanswerfromtheofficer，withaninvitationtoMr。Stanleytodinewithhim，whichwasdeclinedasmayeasilybesupposed，underpretenceofbusiness。
　　Waverley’snextrequestwas，thatMr。Macwheeblewoulddespatchamanandhorseto，theposttown，atwhichColonelTalbotwastoaddresshim，withdirectionstowaitthereuntilthepostshouldbringaletterforMr。Stanley，andthentoforwardittoLittleVeolanwithallspeed。Inamoment，theBailiewasinsearchofhisapprenticeorservitor，ashewascalledSixtyYearssince，JockScriever，andinnotmuchgreaterspaceoftimeJockwasonthebackofthewhitepony。
　　Takcareyeguidehimweel，sir，forhe’sayebeenshortinthewindsince-ahem-Lordbegudetome！inalowvoiceI
　　wasgauntocomeoutwi’-sinceIrodewhipandspurtofetchtheChevaliertoreddMr。WauverleyandVichIanVohr；andanuncannycoupIgatformypains-Lordforgieyourhonour！
　　Imighthaebrokenmyneck-buttrothitwasinaventure，maewaysnorane；butthismaksamendsfora’。LadyWauverley！-
　　tenthousandayear！-Lordbegudeuntome！’’
　　Butyouforget，Mr。Macwheeble，wewanttheBaron’sconsent-thelady’s’’
　　Neverfear，I’sebecautionforthem-I’segieyoumypersonalwarrandice-tenthousanda-year！itdingsBalmawhappleoutandout-ayear’srent’swortha’Balmawhapple，feeandlife-rent！Lordmakeusthankful！’’
　　Toturnthecurrentofhisfeelings，EdwardinquiredifhehadheardanythinglatelyoftheChieftainofGlennaquoich？
　　Notoneword，’’answeredMacwheeble，butthathewasstillinCarlisleCastle，andwassoontobepanelledforhislife。Idinnawishtheyounggentlemanill，’’hesaid，butI
　　hopethattheythathaegothimwillkeephim，andnolethimbacktothisHielandbordertoplagueuswi’black-mail，anda’mannero’violent，wrongous，andmasterfu’oppressionandspoliation，bothbyhimselfandothersofhiscausing，sending，andhoundingout：-andhecouldnatakcareo’thesillerwhenhehadgottenitneither，butflungita’intoyonidlequean’slapatEdinburgh-butlightcomelightgane。Formypart，Ineverwishtoseeakiltinthecountryagain，norared-coat，noragun，forthatmatter，unlessitweretoshootapaitrick：they’rea’tarr’dwi’aestick。Andwhentheyhavedoneyewrang，evenwhenyehaegottendecreetofspulzie，oppression，andviolentprofitsagainstthem，whatbetterareye？-theyhaenaaplacktopayye；yeneedneverextractit。’’
　　Withsuchdiscourse，andtheinterveningtopicsofbusiness，thetimepasseduntildinner，MacwheeblemeanwhilepromisingtodevisesomemodeofintroducingEdwardattheDuchran，whereRoseatpresentresided，withoutriskofdangerorsuspicion；whichseemednoveryeasytask，sincethelairdwasaveryzealousfriendtoGovernment-Thepoultry-yardhadbeenlaidunderrequisitionandcockyleekyandScotchcollopssoonreekedintheBailie’slittleparlour。Thelandlord’scorkscrewwasjustintrodudedintothemuzzleofapint-bottleofclaretcribbedpossiblyfromthecellarsofTully-Veolan，whenthesightofthegreypony，passingthewindowatfulltrot，inducedtheBailie，butwithdueprecaution，toplaceitasideforthemoment。EnterJockScrieverwithapacketforMr。
　　Stanley：itisColonelTalbot’sseal；andEdward’sfingerstrembleasheundoesit。Twoofficialpapers，folded，signed，andsealedinallformality，dropout。TheywerehastilypickedupbytheBailie，whohadanaturalrespectforeverythingresemblingadeed，and，glancingslylyontheirtitles，hiseyes，orratherspectacles，aregreetedwithProtectionbyhisRoyalHighnesstothepersonofCosmoComyneBradwardine，Esq。
　　ofthatilk，commonlycalledBaronofBradwardine，forfeitedforhisaccessiontothelaterebellion。’’TheotherprovestobeaprotectionofthesametenorinfavourofEdwardWaverley，Esq。ColonelTalbot’sletterwasinthesewords：-
　　=MyDearEdward，=
　　Iamjustarrivedhere，andyetIhavefinishedmybusiness；
　　ithascostmesometroublethough，asyoushallhear。IwaiteduponhisRoyalHighnessimmediatelyonmyarrival，andfoundhiminnoverygoodhumourformypurpose。ThreeorfourScotchgentlemenwerejustleavinghislevee。Afterhehadexpressedhimselftomeverycourteously；`Wouldyouthinkit，’hesaid，`Talbot？herehavebeenhalf-a-dozenofthemostrespectablegentlemen，andbestfriendstoGovernmentnorthoftheForth，-MajorMelvilleofCairnvreckan，RubrickofDuchran，andothers，-whohavefairlywrungfromme，bytheirdownrightimportunity，apresentprotectionandthepromiseofafuturepardon，forthatstubbornoldrebelwhomtheycallBaronofBradwardine。Theyallegethathishighpersonalcharacter，andtheclemencywhichheshowedtosuchofourpeopleasfellintotherebel’shands，shouldweighinhisfavour；especiallyasthelossofhisestateislikelytobeasevereenoughpunishment。Rubrickhasundertakentokeephimathisownhousetillthingsaresettledinthecountry；butit’salittlehardtobeforcedinamannertopardonsuchamortalenemytotheHouseofBrunswick。’Thiswasnofavourablemomentforopeningmybusiness；-however，IsaidIwasrejoicedtolearnthathisRoyalHighnesswasinthecourseofgrantingsuchrequests，asitemboldenedmetopresentoneofthelikenatureinmyownname。Hewasveryangry，butI
　　persisted；-Imentionedtheuniformsupportofourthreevotesinthehouse，touchedmodestlyonservicesabroad，thoughvaluableonlyinhisRoyalHighness’shavingbeenpleasedkindlytoacceptthem，andfoundedprettystronglyonhisownexpressionsoffriendshipandgood-will。Hewasembarrassed，butobstinate。Ihintedthepolicyofdetaching，onallfutureoccasions，theheirofsuchafortuneasyouruncle’sfromthemachinationsofthedisaffected。ButImadenoimpression。
　　ImentionedtheobligationwhichIlayundertoSirEverard，andtoyoupersonally，andclaimedasthesolerewardofmyservices，thathewouldbepleasedtoaffordmethemeansofevincingmygratitude。Iperceivedthathestillmeditatedarefusal，andtakingmycommissionfrommypocket，Isaidasalastresource，thatashisRoyalHighnessdidnot，underthesepressingcircumstances，thinkmeworthyofafavourwhichhehadnotscrupledtogranttoothergentlemen，whoseservicesIcouldhardlyjudgemoreimportantthanmyown，I