in Colonel Talbot's family;
nor will I keep a brave enemy a prisoner under such circumstances.
Besides," said he, "I think I can justify myself to my prudent advisers,
by pleading the good effect such lenity will produce on the minds of the
great English families with whom Colonel Talbot is connected."'
'There the politician peeped out,' said the Colonel.
'Well, at least he concluded like a king's son--"Take the passport; I
have added a condition for form's sake; but if the Colonel objects to
it, let him depart without giving any parole whatever. I come here to
war with men, but not to distress or endanger women."'
'Well, I never thought to have been so much indebted to the Pretend--'
'To the Prince,' said Waverley, smiling.
'To the Chevalier,' said the Colonel; 'it is a good travelling name, and
which we may both freely use. Did he say anything more?'
'Only asked if there was anything else he could oblige me in; and when
I replied in the negative, he shook me by the hand, and wished all his
followers were as considerate, since some friends of mine not only asked
all he had to bestow, but many things which were entirely out of his
power, or that of the greatest sovereign upon earth. Indeed, he said,
no prince seemed, in the eyes of his followers, so like the Deity as
himself, if you were to judge from the extravagant requests which they
daily preferred to him.'
'Poor young gentleman!' said the Colonel 'I suppose he begins to feel
the difficulties of his situation. Well, dear Waverley, this is more
than kind, and shall not be forgotten while Philip Talbot can remember
anything. My life--pshaw--let Emily thank you for that--this is a
favour worth fifty lives. I cannot hesitate on giving my parole in the
circumstances: there it is--(he wrote it out in form)--and now, how am I
to get off?'
'All that is settled: your baggage is packed, my horses wait, and a boat
has been engaged, by the Prince's permission, to put you on board the
Fox frigate. I sent a messenger down to Leith on purpose.'
'That will do excellently well. Captain Beaver is my particular friend:
he will put me ashore at Berwick or Shields, from whence I can ride post
to London;--and you must entrust me with the packet of papers which you
recovered by means of your Miss Bean Lean. I may have an opportunity
of using them to your advantage.--But I see your Highland friend,
Glen--what do you call his barbarous name? and his orderly with him--I
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