I therefore entrust you with the charge of Colonel Talbot, with power to act concerning him as you think most advisable;--and I hope you will find means of ascertaining what are his real dispositions towards our Royal Father's restoration.' 'I am convinced,' said Waverley, bowing, 'that if Colonel Talbot chooses to grant his parole, it may be securely depended upon; but if he refuses it, I trust your Royal Highness will devolve on some other person than the nephew of his friend, the task of laying him under the necessary restraint.' 'I will trust him with no person but you,' said the Prince, smiling, but peremptorily repeating his mandate: 'it is of importance to my service that there should appear to be a good intelligence between you, even if you are unable to gain his confidence in earnest.

You will therefore receive him into your quarters, and in case he declines giving his parole, you must apply for a proper guard.

I beg you will go about this directly.

We return to Edinburgh to-morrow.' Being thus remanded to the vicinity of Preston, Waverley lost the Baron of Bradwardine's solemn act of homage.

So little, however, was he at this time in love with vanity, that he had quite forgotten the ceremony in which Fergus had laboured to engage his curiosity.