eir hands; and Frank Stanley acted as bridesman,
having joined Edward with that view soon after his arrival. Lady Emily
and Colonel Talbot had proposed being present; but Lady Emily's health,
when the day approached, was found inadequate to the journey. In amends,
it was arranged that Edward Waverley and his lady, who, with the Baron,
proposed an immediate journey to Waverley-Honour, should, in their way,
spend a few days at an estate which Colonel Talbot had been tempted to
purchase in Scotland as a very great bargain, and at which he proposed
to reside for some time.

CHAPTER LXXI

This is no mine ain house, I ken by the bigging o't'.
--OLD SONG.

The nuptial party travelled in great style. There was a coach and six
after the newest pattern, which Sir Everard had presented to his nephew,
that dazzled with its splendour the eyes of one half of Scotland; there
was the family coach of Mr. Rubrick;--both these were crowded with
ladies, and there were gentlemen on horseback, with their servants, to
the number of a round score. Nevertheless, without having the fear
of famine before his eyes, Bailie Macwheeble met them in the road, to
entreat that they would pass by his house at Little Veolan. The Baron
stared, and said his son and he would certainly ride by Little Veolan,
and pay their compliments to the Bailie, but could not think of bringing
with them the 'haill COMITATUS NUPTIALIS, or matrimonial procession.'
He added, 'that, as he understood that the barony had been sold by
its unworthy possessor, he was glad to see his old friend Duncan had
regained his situation under the new DOMINUS, or proprietor.' The
Bailie ducked, bowed, and fidgeted, and then again insisted upon his
invitation; until the Baron, though rather piqued at the pertinacity of
his instances, could not nevertheless refuse to consent, without making
evident sensations which he was anxious to conceal.

He fell into a deep study as they approached the top of the avenue,
and was only startled from it by observing that the battlements were
replaced, the ruins cleared sway, and (most wonderful of all) that
the two great stone Bears, those mutilated Dagons of his idolatry, had
resumed their posts over the gateway. 'Now this new proprietor,' said he
to Edward, 'has shown mair gusto, as the Italians call it, in the short
time he has had this domain, than that hound Malcolm, though I bred him
here mysell, has acquired VITA ADHUC DURANTE.--and no