The growling voice of Balmawhapple was heard as taking leave in displeasure, but the word ‘land-louper’ alone was distinctly audible.  He had disappeared before Waverley reached the house, in order to greet the worthy Baron of Bradwardine.  The uniform in which he was now attired, a blue coat, namely, with gold lace, a scarlet waistcoat and breeches, and immense jack-boots, seemed to have added fresh stiffness and rigidity to his tall, perpendicular figure; and the consciousness of military command and authority had increased, in the same proportion, the self-importance of his demeanour, and the dogmatism of his conversation.

He received Waverley with his usual kindness, and expressed immediate anxiety to hear an explanation of the circumstances attending the loss of his commission in Gardiner’s dragoons; ‘not,’ he said, ’that he had the least apprehension of his young friend having done aught which could merit such ungenerous treatment as he had received from Government, but because it was right and seemly that the Baron of Bradwardine should be, in point of trust and in point of power, fully able to refute all calumnies against the heir of Waverley-Honour, whom he had so much right to regard as his own son.’

Fergus Mac-Ivor, who had now joined them, went hastily over the circumstances of Waverley’s story, and concluded with the flattering reception he had met from the young Chevalier.  The Baron listened in silence, and at the conclusion shook Waverley heartily by the hand, and congratulated him upon entering the service of his lawful Prince.  ‘For,’ continued he, ’although it has been justly held in all nations a matter of scandal and dishonour to infringe the SACRAMENTUM MILITARE, and that whether it was taken by each soldier singly, whilk the Romans denominated per CONJURATIONEM, or by one soldier in name of the rest, yet no one ever doubted that the allegiance so sworn was discharged by the DIMISSIO, or discharging of a soldier, whose case would be as hard as that of colliers, salters, and other ADSCRIPTI GLEBAE, or slaves of the soil, were it to be accounted otherwise.  This is something like the brocard expressed by the learned Sanchez in his work de Jure-JURANDO, which you have questionless consulted upon this occasion.  As for those who have calumniated you by leasing-making, I protest to Heaven I think they have justly incurred the penalty of the MEMNONIA Lex, also called Lex RHEMNIA, which is prelected upon by Tullius in his oration in VERREM.  I should have deemed, however, Mr. Waverley, that before destining yourself to any special service in the army of the Prince, ye might have inquired what rank the old Bradwardine held there, and whether he would not have been peculiarly happy to have had your services in the regiment of horse which he is now about to levy.’

Edward eluded this reproach by pleading the necessity of giving an immediate answer to the Prince’s proposal, and his uncertainty at the moment whether his friend the Baron was with the army, or engaged upon service elsewhere.