His first business was to examine his portmanteau, and, after a very short search, out tumbled the expected packet.

Waverley opened it eagerly.

Under a blank cover, simply addressed to E.Waverley, Esq., he found a number of open letters.

The uppermost were two from Colonel Gardiner, addressed to himself.

The earliest in date was a kind and gentle remonstrance for neglect of the writer's advice respecting the disposal of his time during his leave of absence, the renewal of which, he reminded Captain Waverley, would speedily expire.