"I should suppose any regimental affairs might be transacted by your worthy deputy the sergeant--an honest gentleman, who is so good as to make Monkbarns his home since his arrival among us--I should, I say, suppose that he may transact any business of yours, without your spending a day's pay on two dog-horses, and such a combination of rotten wood, cracked glass, and leather--such a skeleton of a post-chaise, as that before the door." "It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me; and, since you insist upon knowing, I must inform you Caxon has brought word this morning that old Ochiltree, the beggar, is to be brought up for examination to-day, previous to his being committed for trial; and I'm going to see that the poor old fellow gets fair play--that's all." "Ay ?--I heard something of this, but could not think it serious.

And pray, Captain Hector, who are so ready to be every man's second on all occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the sea-beach, what is your especial concern with old Edie Ochiltree ?" "He was a soldier in my father's company, sir," replied Hector; "and besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, as you could have done yourself." "And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it--eh, Hector ?-- Come, confess it was thrown away." "Indeed it was, sir; but I see no reason that my folly should make me less grateful for his intended kindness." "Bravo, Hector! that's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say.
But always tell me your plans without reserve,--why, I will go with you myself, man.

I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist him in such a scrape much more effectually than you can do.

Besides, it will save thee half-a-guinea, my lad--a consideration which I heartily pray you to have more frequently before your eyes." Lord Glenallan's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with the ladies, when the dispute between the uncle and nephew appeared to grow rather too animated to be fit for the ear of a stranger, but the Earl mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the Antiquary expressed amity.

Having received a brief account of the mendicant, and of the accusation brought against him, which Oldbuck did not hesitate to ascribe to the malice of Dousterswivel, Lord Glenallan asked, whether the individual in question had not been a soldier formerly ?--He was answered in the affirmative.
"Had he not," continued his Lordship, "a coarse blue coat, or gown, with a badge ?--was he not a tall, striking-looking old man, with grey beard and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect, and talked with an air of ease and independence, which formed a strong contrast to his profession ?" "All this is an exact picture of the man," refumed Oldbuck.
"Why, then," continued Lord Glenallan, "although I fear I can be of no use to him in his present condition, yet I owe him a debt of gratitude for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost importance.