‘If you will sell him, I shall certainly be much obliged.’

’If your proud English heart cannot be obliged by a gift or loan, I will not refuse money at the entrance of a campaign:  his price is twenty guineas. [Remember, reader, it was Sixty Years Since.] And when do you propose to depart?’

‘The sooner the better,’ answered Waverley.

’You are right, since go you must, or rather, since go you will.  I will take Flora’s pony and ride with you as far as Bally-Brough.  Callum Beg, see that our horses are ready, with a pony for yourself, to attend and carry Mr. Waverley’s baggage as far as—­ (naming a small town), where he can have a horse and guide to Edinburgh.  Put on a Lowland dress, Callum, and see you keep your tongue close, if you would not have me cut it out.  Mr. Waverley rides Dermid.’  Then turning to Edward, ’You will take leave of my sister?’

‘Surely—­that is, if Miss Mac-Ivor will honour me so far.’

’Cathleen, let my sister know Mr. Waverley wishes to bid her farewell before he leaves us.  But Rose Bradwardine, her situation must be thought of; I wish she were here.  And why should she not?  There are but four red-coats at Tully-Veolan, and their muskets would be very useful to us.’

To these broken remarks Edward made no answer; his ear indeed received them, but his soul was intent upon the expected entrance of Flora.  The door opened.  It was but Cathleen, with her lady’s excuse, and wishes for Captain Waverley’s health and happiness.

CHAPTER XXIX

WAVERLEY’S RECEPTION IN THE LOWLANDS AFTER HIS HIGHLAND TOUR

It was noon when the two friends stood at the top of the pass of Bally-Brough.  ‘I must go no farther,’ said Fergus Mac-Ivor, who during the journey had in vain endeavoured to raise his friend’s spirits.  ’If my cross-grained sister has any share in your dejection, trust me she thinks highly of you, though her present anxiety about the public cause prevents her listening to any other subject.  Confide your interest to me; I will not betray it, providing you do not again assume that vile cockade.’

’No fear of that, considering the manner in which it has been recalled.  Adieu, Fergus; do not permit your sister to forget me.’

’And adieu, Waverley; you may soon hear of her with a prouder title.  Get home, write letters, and make friends as many and as fast as you can; there will speedily be unexpected guests on the coast of Suffolk, or my news from France has deceived me.’ [Footnote:  The sanguine Jacobites, during the eventful years 1745-46, kept up the spirits of their party by the rumour of descents from France on behalf of the Chevalier St. George.]

Thus parted the friends; Fergus returning back to his castle, while Edward, followed by Callum Beg, the latter transformed from point to point into a Low-Country groom, proceeded to the little town of—.