--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. 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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