If this can be managed, I would have you go to
a place of safety in Flanders, which I shall point out. And I think I
can secure your pardon from Government after a few months' residence
abroad.'
'I cannot; permit you, Colonel Talbot,' answered Waverley, 'to speak of
any plan which turns on my deserting an enterprise in which I may have
engaged hastily, but certainly voluntarily, and with the purpose of
abiding the issue.'
'Well,' said Colonel Talbot, smiling, 'leave me my thoughts and hopes
at least at liberty, if not my speech. But have you never examined your
mysterious packet?'
'It is in my baggage,' replied Edward; 'we shall find it in Edinburgh.'
In Edinburgh they soon arrived. Waverley's quarters had been assigned to
him, by the Prince's express orders, in a handsome lodging, where there
was accommodation, for Colonel Talbot. 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.
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