The poultry-yard
had been laid under requisition, and cockyleeky and Scotch collops soon
reeked in the Bailie's little parlour. The landlord's cork-screw 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 ringers
tremble as he undoes it. Two official papers, folded, signed, and sealed
in all formality, drop out. They were hastily picked up by the Bailie,
who had a natural respect for everything resembling a deed, and, glancing
slily on their titles, his eyes, or rather spectacles, are greeted with
'Protection by his Royal Highness to the person of Cosmo Comyne
Bradwardine, Esq., of that ilk, commonly called Baron of Bradwardine,
forfeited for his accession to the late rebellion.' The other proves to
be a protection of the same tenor in favour of Edward Waverley, Esq.
Colonel Talbot's letter was in these words:--
'My DEAR EDWARD,
'I am just arrived here, and yet I have finished my business; it has cost
me some trouble though, as you shall hear.
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