to Waverley's direct inquiries concerning some of these points,
replied, that he was not at liberty to speak upon such topics.

When dinner was finished, the governor arose, and, wishing Edward a good
journey, said, that having been informed by Waverley's servant that his
baggage had been sent forward, he had taken the freedom to supply him
with such changes of linen as he might find necessary, till he was again
possessed of his own. With this compliment he disappeared. A servant
acquainted Waverley an instant afterwards, that his horse was ready.

Upon this hint he descended into the courtyard, and found a trooper
holding a saddled horse, on which he mounted, and sallied from the
portal of Doune Castle, attended by about a score of armed men on
horseback. These had less the appearance of regular soldiers than of
individuals who had suddenly assumed arms from some pressing motive of
unexpected emergency. Their uniform, which was blue and red, an affected
imitation of that of French chasseurs, was in many respects incomplete,
and sat awkwardly upon those who wore it. Waverley's eye, accustomed
to look at a well-disciplined regiment, could easily discover that the
motions and habits of his escort were not those of trained soldiers, and
that, although expert enough in the management of their horses, their
skill was that of huntsmen or grooms, rather than of troopers. The
horses were not trained to the regular pace so necessary to execute
simultaneous and combined movements and formations; nor did they seem
BITTED (as it is technically expressed) for the use of the sword.
The men, however, were stout, hardy-looking fellows, and might be
individually formidable as irregular cavalry. The commander of this
small party was mounted upon an excellent hunter, and although dressed
in uniform, his change of apparel did not prevent Waverley from
recognizing his old acquaintance, Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple.

Now, although the terms upon which Edward had parted with this
gentleman were none of the most friendly, he would have sacrificed every
recollection of their foolish quarrel for the pleasure of enjoying once
more the social intercourse of question and answer, from which he had
been so long secluded. But apparently the remembrance of his defeat by
the Baron of Bradwardine, of which Edward had been the unwilling cause,
still rankled in the mind of the low-bred, and yet proud laird. He
carefully avoided giving the least sign of r