’I wish to Heaven these scoundrels were condemned to be squeezed to death in their own presses,’ said Talbot.  ’I am told there are not less than a dozen of their papers now published in town, and no wonder that they are obliged to invent lies to find sale for their journals.  It is true, however, my dear Edward, that you have lost your father; but as to this flourish of his unpleasant situation having grated upon his spirits and hurt his health—­the truth is—­for though it is harsh to say so now, yet it will relieve your mind from the idea of weighty responsibility—­the truth then is, that Mr. Richard Waverley, through this whole business, showed great want of sensibility, both to your situation and that of your uncle; and the last time I saw him, he told me, with great glee, that, as I was so good as to take charge of your interests, he had thought it best to patch up a separate negotiation for himself, and make his peace with government through some channels which former connexions left still open to him.’

‘And my uncle, my dear uncle?’

’Is in no danger whatever.  It is true (looking at the date of the paper) there was a foolish report some time ago to the purport here quoted, but it is entirely false.  Sir Everard is gone down to Waverley-Honour, freed from all uneasiness, unless upon your own account.  But you are in peril yourself; your name is in every proclamation; warrants are out to apprehend you.  How and when did you come here?’

Edward told his story at length, suppressing his quarrel with Fergus; for, being himself partial to Highlanders, he did not wish to give any advantage to the Colonel’s national prejudice against them.

’Are you sure it was your friend Glen’s foot-boy you saw dead in Clifton Moor?’

‘Quite positive.’

’Then that little limb of the devil has cheated the gallows, for cut-throat was written in his face; though (turning to Lady Emily) it was a very handsome face too.  But for you, Edward, I wish you would go down again to Cumberland, or rather I wish you had never stirred from thence, for there is an embargo in all the seaports, and a strict search for the adherents of the Pretender; and the tongue of that confounded woman will wag in her head like the clack of a mill, till somehow or other she will detect Captain Butler to be a feigned personage.’

‘Do you know anything,’ asked Waverley, ‘of my fellow-traveller?’

’Her husband was my sergeant-major for six years; she was a buxom widow, with a little money; he married her, was steady, and got on by being a good drill.  I must send Spontoon to see what she is about; he will find her out among the old regimental connections.  To-morrow you must be indisposed, and keep your room from fatigue.  Lady Emily is to be your nurse, and Spontoon and I your attendants.  You bear the name of a near relation of mine, whom none of my present people ever saw, except Spontoon, so there will be no immediate danger.  So pray feel your head ache and your eyes grow heavy as soon as possible, that you may be put upon the sick-list; and, Emily, do you order an apartment for Frank Stanley, with all the attentions which an invalid may require.’