'The Prince himself told me,' said Fergus, 'and inquired very minutely
into your history. He then mentioned your being at that moment in the
power of one of our northern parties--you know I could not ask him to
explain particulars--and requested my opinion about disposing of you. I
recommended that you should be brought here as a prisoner, because I did
not wish to prejudice you farther with the English government, in case
you pursued your purpose of going southward. I knew nothing, you must
recollect, of the charge brought against you of aiding and abetting high
treason, which, I presume, had some share in changing your original plan.
That sullen, good-for-nothing brute, Balmawhapple, was sent to escort you
from Doune, with what he calls his troop of horse. As to his behaviour,
in addition to his natural antipathy to everything that resembles a
gentleman, I presume his adventure with Bradwardine rankles in his
recollection, the rather that I daresay his mode of telling that story
contributed to the evil reports which reached your quondam regiment.'
'Very likely,' said Waverley; 'but now surely, my dear Fergus, you may
find time to tell me something of Flora.
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