tend our military court; and I assure you that there is a sort of
consequence annexed to the near relative of such a person as Flora
Mac-Ivor, and where there is such a justling of claims and requests, a
man must use every fair means to enhance his importance.'

There was something in this last sentence which grated on Waverley's
feelings. He could not bear that Flora should be considered as conducing
to her brother's preferment by the admiration which she must
unquestionably attract; and although it was in strict correspondence with
many points of Fergus's character, it shocked him as selfish, and
unworthy of his sister's high mind and his own independent pride. Fergus,
to whom such manoeuvres were familiar, as to one brought up at the French
court, did not observe the unfavourable impression which he had unwarily
made upon his friend's mind, and concluded by saying,' that they could
hardly see Flora before the evening, when she would be at the concert and
ball with which the Prince's party were to be entertained. She and I had
a quarrel about her not appearing to take leave of you. I am unwilling to
renew it by soliciting her to receive you this morning; and perhaps my
doing so might not only be ineffectual, but prevent your meeting this
evening.'

While thus conversing, Waverley heard in the court, before the windows of
the parlour, a well-known voice. 'I aver to you, my worthy friend,' said
the speaker, 'that it is a total dereliction of military discipline; and
were you not as it were a tyro, your purpose would deserve strong
reprobation. For a prisoner of war is on no account to be coerced with
fetters, or debinded in ergastulo, as would have been the case had you
put this gentleman into the pit of the peel-house at Balmawhapple. I
grant, indeed, that such a prisoner may for security be coerced in
carcere, that is, in a public prison.'

The growling voice of Balmawhapple was heard as taking leave in
displeasure, but the word 'land-louper' alone was distinctly audible. He
had disappeared before Waverley reached the house in order to greet the
worthy Baron of Bradwardine. The uniform in which he was now attired, a
blue coat, namely, with gold lace, a scarlet waistcoat and breeches, and
immense jack-boots, seemed to have added fresh stiffness and rigidity to
his tall, perpendicular figure; and the consciousness of military command
and authority had increased, in the same proportion, the self-importance
of his demea