'
'Were it not for the recollection of Fergus's raillery,' thought
Waverley to himself, when he had perused this long and grave document,
'how very tolerable would all this sound, and how little should I have
thought of connecting it with any ludicrous idea! Well, after all,
everything has its fair, as well as its seamy side; and truly I do not
see why the Baron's boot-jack may not stand as fair in heraldry as
the water-Buckets, waggons, cart-wheels, plough-socks, shuttles,
candlesticks, and other ordinaries, conveying ideas of anything
save chivalry, which appear in the arms of some of our most ancient
gentry.'--This, however, is an episode in respect to the principal
story.
When Waverley returned to Preston, and rejoined Colonel Talbot, he
found him recovered from the strong and obvious emotions with which a
concurrence of unpleasing events had affected him. He had regained his
natural manner, which was that of an English gentleman and soldier,
manly, open, and generous, but not unsusceptible of prejudice against
those of a different country, or who opposed him in political tenets.
When Waverley acquainted Colonel Talbot with the Chevalier's purpose
to commit him to his charge, 'I did not think to have owed so much
obligation to that young gentleman,' he said, 'as is implied in this
destination.
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