‘Edward Waverley.’

’I thought so; late of the—­dragoons, and nephew of Sir Everard Waverley of Waverley-Honour?’

‘The same.’

’Young gentleman, I am extremely sorry that this painful duty has fallen to my lot.’

‘Duty, Major Melville, renders apologies superfluous.’

’True, sir; permit me, therefore, to ask you how your time has been disposed of since you obtained leave of absence from your regiment, several weeks ago, until the present moment?’

‘My reply,’ said Waverley, ’to so general a question must be guided by the nature of the charge which renders it necessary.  I request to know what that charge is, and upon what authority I am forcibly detained to reply to it?’

’The charge, Mr. Waverley, I grieve to say, is of a very high nature, and affects your character both as a soldier and a subject.  In the former capacity you are charged with spreading mutiny and rebellion among the men you commanded, and setting them the example of desertion, by prolonging your own absence from the regiment, contrary to the express orders of your commanding officer.  The civil crime of which you stand accused is that of high treason and levying war against the king, the highest delinquency of which a subject can be guilty.’

’And by what authority am I detained to reply to such heinous calumnies?’

‘By one which you must not dispute, nor I disobey.’

He handed to Waverley a warrant from the Supreme Criminal Court of Scotland, in full form, for apprehending and securing the person of Edward Waverley, Esq., suspected of treasonable practices and other high crimes and misdemeanours.

The astonishment which Waverley expressed at this communication was imputed by Major Melville to conscious guilt, while Mr. Morton was rather disposed to construe it into the surprise of innocence unjustly suspected.  There was something true in both conjectures; for although Edward’s mind acquitted him of the crime with which he was charged, yet a hasty review of his own conduct convinced him he might have great difficulty in establishing his innocence to the satisfaction of others.

‘It is a very painful part of this painful business,’ said Major Melville, after a pause, ’that, under so grave a charge, I must necessarily request to see such papers as you have on your person.’

‘You shall, sir, without reserve,’ said Edward, throwing his pocket-book and memorandums upon the table; ’there is but one with which I could wish you would dispense.’

’I am afraid, Mr. Waverley, I can indulge you with no reservation,’

’You shall see it then, sir; and as it can be of no service, I beg it may be returned.’

He took from his bosom the lines he had that morning received, and presented them with the envelope.  The Major perused them in silence, and directed his clerk to make a copy of them.  He then wrapped the copy in the envelope, and placing it on the table before him, returned the original to Waverley, with an air of melancholy gravity.