On alighting at the sign of the Seven-branched Golden Candlestick, which, for the further delectation of the guests, was graced with a short Hebrew motto, they were received by mine host, a tall, thin puritanical figure, who seemed to debate with himself whether he ought to give shelter to those who travelled on such a day.  Reflecting, however, in all probability, that he possessed the power of mulcting them for this irregularity, a penalty which they might escape by passing into Gregor Duncanson’s, at the sign of the Highlander and the Hawick Gill, Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks condescended to admit them into his dwelling.

To this sanctified person Waverley addressed his request that he would procure him a guide, with a saddle-horse, to carry his portmanteau to Edinburgh.

‘And whar may ye be coming from?’ demanded mine host of the Candlestick.

’I have told you where I wish to go; I do not conceive any further information necessary either for the guide or his saddle-horse.’

‘Hem!  Ahem!’ returned he of the Candlestick, somewhat disconcerted at this rebuff.  ’It’s the general fast, sir, and I cannot enter into ony carnal transactions on sic a day, when the people should be humbled, and the back sliders should return, as worthy Mr. Goukthrapple said; and moreover when, as the precious Mr. Jabesh Rentowel did weel observe, the land was mourning for covenants burnt, broken, and buried.’

‘My good friend,’ said Waverley, ’if you cannot let me have a horse and guide, my servant shall seek them elsewhere.’

‘Aweel!  Your servant?—­and what for gangs he not forward wi’ you himsell?’

Waverley had but very little of a captain of horse’s spirit within him—­I mean of that sort of spirit which I have been obliged to when I happened, in a mail-coach, or diligence, to meet some military man who has kindly taken upon him the disciplining of the waiters, and the taxing of reckonings.  Some of this useful talent our hero had, however, acquired during his military service, and on this gross provocation it began seriously to arise.  ’Look ye, sir; I came here for my own accommodation, and not to answer impertinent questions.  Either say you can, or cannot, get me what I want; I shall pursue my course in either case.’

Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks left the room with some indistinct muttering; but whether negative or acquiescent, Edward could not well distinguish.  The hostess, a civil, quiet, laborious drudge, came to take his orders for dinner, but declined to make answer on the subject of the horse and guide; for the Salique law, it seems, extended to the stables of the Golden Candlestick.

From a window which overlooked the dark and narrow court in which Callum Beg rubbed down the horses after their journey, Waverley heard the following dialogue betwixt the subtle foot-page of Vich Ian Vohr and his landlord:—­

‘Ye’ll be frae the north, young man?’ began the latter.