For my part, I never wish to see a kilt in the country again, nor a red-coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it were to shoot a paitrick:--they're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick.

And when they have done ye wrang, even when ya hae gotten decreet of spuilzie, oppression, and violent profits against them, what better are ye ?--they hae na a plack to pay ye; ye need never extract it.' With such discourse, and the intervening topics of business, the time passed until dinner, Macwheeble meanwhile promising to devise some mode of introducing Edward at the Duchran, where Rose at present resided, without risk of danger or suspicion; which seemed no very easy task, since the laird was a very zealous friend to Government .-- The poultry-yard had been laid under requisition, and cockyleeky and Scotch collops soon reeked in the Bailie's little parlour.

The landlord's corkscrew was just introduced into the muzzle of a pint-bottle of claret (cribbed possibly from the cellars of Tully-Veolan), when the sight of the grey pony, passing the window at full trot, induced the Bailie, but with due precaution, to place it aside for the moment.

Enter Jock Scriever with a packet for Mr.Stanley: it is Colonel Talbot's seal; and Edward's fingers tremble as he undoes it.

Two official papers, folded, signed, and sealed in all formality, drop out.