The magistrates, with their assessors of the lieutenancy, hastened to the door of their town-house to receive him; but what was the surprise of all present, but most especially that of the Antiquary, when they became aware, that the handsome uniform and military cap disclosed the person and features of the pacific Lovel! A warm embrace, and a hearty shake of the hand, were necessary to assure him that his eyes were doing him justice.

Sir Arthur was no less surprised to recognise his son, Captain Wardour, in Lovel's, or rather Major Neville's company.

The first words of the young officers were a positive assurance to all present, that the courage and zeal which they had displayed were entirely thrown away, unless in so far as they afforded an acceptable proof of their spirit and promptitude.
"The watchman at Halket-head," said Major Neville, "as we discovered by an investigation which we made in our route hither, was most naturally misled by a bonfire which some idle people had made on the hill above Glenwithershins, just in the line of the beacon with which his corresponded." Oldbuck gave a conscious look to Sir Arthur, who returned it with one equally sheepish, and a shrug of the shoulders.
"It must have been the machinery which we condemned to the flames in our wrath," said the Antiquary, plucking up heart, though not a little ashamed of having been the cause of so much disturbance--"The devil take Dousterswivel with all my heart!--I think he has bequeathed us a legacy of blunders and mischief, as if he had lighted some train of fireworks at his departure.

I wonder what cracker will go off next among our shins.

But yonder comes the prudent Caxon .-- Hold up your head, you ass--your betters must bear the blame for you--And here, take this what-d'ye-call it"-- (giving him his sword)--"I wonder what I would have said yesterday to any man that would have told me I was to stick such an appendage to my tail." Here he found his arm gently pressed by Lord Glenallan, who dragged him into a separate apartment.