Waverley’s next request was, that Mr. Macwheeble would despatch a man and horse to——­, the post-town at which Colonel Talbot was to address him, with directions to wait there until the post should bring a letter for Mr. Stanley, and then to forward it to Little Veolan with all speed.  In a moment the Bailie was in search of his apprentice (or servitor, as he was called Sixty Years Since), Jock Scriever, and in not much greater space of time Jock was on the back of the white pony.  ’Tak care ye guide him weel, sir, for he’s aye been short in the wind since—­ahem—­Lord be gude to me! (in a low voice), I was gaun to come out wi’—­since I rode whip and spur to fetch the Chevalier to redd Mr. Wauverley and Vich lan Vohr; and an uncanny coup I gat for my pains.  Lord forgie your honour!  I might hae broken my neck; but troth it was in a venture, mae ways nor ane; but this maks amends for a’.  Lady Wauverley! ten thousand a year!  Lord be gude unto me!’

’But you forget, Mr. Macwheeble, we want the Baron’s consent—­the lady’s—­’

’Never fear, I’se be caution for them; I’se gie you my personal warrandice.  Ten thousand a year! it dings Balmawhapple out and out—­a year’s rent’s worth a’ Balmawhapple, fee and life-rent!  Lord make us thankful!’

To turn the current of his feelings, Edward inquired if he had heard anything lately of the Chieftain of Glennaquoich.

‘Not one word,’ answered Macwheeble, ’but that he was still in Carlisle Castle, and was soon to be panelled for his life.  I dinna wish the young gentleman ill,’ he said, ’but I hope that they that hae got him will keep him, and no let him back to this Hieland border to plague us wi’ black-mail and a’ manner o’ violent, wrongous, and masterfu’ oppression and spoliation, both by himself and others of his causing, sending, and hounding out; and he couldna tak care o’ the siller when he had gotten it neither, but flung it a’ into yon idle quean’s lap at Edinburgh; but light come light gane.  For my part, I never wish to see a kilt in the country again, nor a red-coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it were to shoot a paitrick; they’re a’ tarr’d wi’ ae stick.  And when they have done ye wrang, even when ye hae gotten decreet of spuilzie, oppression, and violent profits against them, what better are ye?  They hae na a plack to pay ye; ye need never extract it.’

With such discourse, and the intervening topics of business, the time passed until dinner, Macwheeble meanwhile promising to devise some mode of introducing Edward at the Duchran, where Rose at present resided, without risk of danger or suspicion; which seemed no very easy task, since the laird was a very zealous friend to government.  The poultry-yard had been laid under requisition, and cockyleeky and Scotch collops soon reeked in the Bailie’s little parlour.  The landlord’s cork-screw was just introduced into the muzzle of a pint bottle of claret (cribbed possibly from the cellars of Tully-Veolan), when the