[Waverley by Sir Walter Scott]@TWC D-Link book
Waverley

CHAPTER XLI
7/9

For a prisoner of war is on no account to be coerced with fetters, or detained IN ERGASTULO, as would have been the case had you put this gentleman into the pit of the peel-house at Balmawhapple.

I grant, indeed, that such a prisoner may for security be coerced IN CARCERE, that is, in a public prison.' The growling voice of Balmawhapple was heard as taking leave in displeasure, but the word 'land-louper' alone was distinctly audible.

He had disappeared before Waverley reached the house, in order to greet the worthy Baron of Bradwardine.

The uniform in which he was now attired, a blue coat, namely, with gold lace, a scarlet waistcoat and breeches, and immense jack-boots, seemed to have added fresh stiffness and rigidity to his tall, perpendicular figure; and the consciousness of military command and authority had increased, in the same proportion, the self-importance of his demeanour, and the dogmatism of his conversation.
He received Waverley with his usual kindness, and expressed immediate anxiety to hear an explanation of the circumstances attending the loss of his commission in Gardiner's dragoons; 'not,' he said, 'that he had the least apprehension of his young friend having done aught which could merit such ungenerous treatment as he had received from Government, but because it was right and seemly that the Baron of Bradwardine should be, in point of trust and in point of power, fully able to refute all calumnies against the heir of Waverley-Honour, whom he had so much right to regard as his own son.' Fergus Mac-Ivor, who had now joined them, went hastily over the circumstances of Waverley's story, and concluded with the flattering reception he had met from the young Chevalier.

The Baron listened in silence, and at the conclusion shook Waverley heartily by the hand, and congratulated him upon entering the service of his lawful Prince.


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