that
witnessed his amazement.

The Counsellor alone was in his element: shrewd, prompt, and active, he
already calculated the prospect of brilliant success in a strange,
eventful, and mysterious lawsuit, and no young monarch, flushed with
hopes, and at the head of a gallant army, could experience more glee when
taking the field on his first campaign. He bustled about with great
energy, and took the arrangement of the whole explanation upon himself.

'Come, come, gentlemen, sit down; this is all in my province; you must
let me arrange it for you. Sit down, my dear Colonel, and let me manage;
sit down, Mr. Brown, aut quocunque alio nomine vocaris; Dominie, take
your seat; draw in your chair, honest Liddesdale.'

'I dinna ken, Mr. Pleydell,' said Dinmont, looking at his dreadnought
coat, then at the handsome furniture of the room; 'I had maybe better
gang some gate else, and leave ye till your cracks, I'm no just that weel
put on.'

The Colonel, who by this time recognised Dandie, immediately went up and
bid him heartily welcome; assuring him that, from what he had seen of him
in Edinburgh, he was sure his rough coat and thick-soled boots would
honour a royal drawing-room.

'Na, na, Colonel, we're just plain up-the-country folk; but nae doubt I
would fain hear o' ony pleasure that was gaun to happen the Captain, and
I'm sure a' will gae right if Mr. Pleydell will take his bit job in
hand.'

'You're right, Dandie; spoke like a Hieland [Footnote: It may not be
unnecessary to tell southern readers that the mountainous country in the
south western borders of Scotland is called Hieland, though totally
different from the much more mountainous and more extensive districts of
the north, usually called Hielands.] oracle; and now be silent. Well, you
are all seated at last; take a glass of wine till I begin my catechism
methodically. And now,' turning to Bertram, 'my dear boy, do you know who
or what you are?'

In spite of his perplexity the catechumen could not help laughing at this
commencement, and answered, 'Indeed, sir, I formerly thought I did; but I
own late circumstances have made me somewhat uncertain.'

'Then tell us what you formerly thought yourself.'

'Why, I was in the habit of thinking and calling myself Vanbeest Brown,
who served as a cadet or volunteer under Colonel Mannering, when he
commanded the--regiment, in which capacity I was not unknown to him.'

'There,' said the Colonel, 'I can assure Mr. Brown