little art to wile them back to a place which might awaken some painful
reflections--'But as it was to change masters, we were very desirous
that the Baron'--

'Mr. Bradwardine, madam, if you please,' said the old gentleman.

'--Mr. Bradwardine, then, and Mr. Waverley, should see what we have done
towards restoring the mansion of your fathers to its former state.'

The Baron answered with a low bow. Indeed, when he entered the court,
excepting that the heavy stables, which had been burnt down, were
replaced by buildings of a lighter and more picturesque appearance, all
seemed as much as possible restored to the state in which he had left
it when he assumed arms some months before. The pigeon-house was
replenished; the fountain played with its usual activity; and not
only the Bear who predominated over its basin, but all the other Bears
whatsoever, were replaced on their several stations, and renewed or
repaired with so much care, that they bore no tokens of the violence
which had so lately descended upon them. While these minutiae had been
so heedfully attended to, it is scarce necessary to add, that the house
itself had been thoroughly repaired, as well as the gardens, with the
strictest attention to maintain the original character of both, and
to remove, as far as possible, all appearance of the ravage they had
sustained. The Baron gazed in silent wonder; at length he addressed
Colonel Talbot:

'While I acknowledge my obligation to you, sir, for the restoration
of the badge of our family, I cannot but marvel that you have nowhere
established your own crest, whilk is, I believe, a mastiff, anciently
called a talbot; as the poet has it,

A talbot strong--a sturdy tyke.

At least such a dog is the crest of the martial and renowned Earls of
Shrewsbury, to whom your family are probably blood relations.'

'I believe,' said the Colonel, smiling, 'our dogs are whelps of the same
litter: for my part, if crests were to dispute precedence, I should be
apt to let them, as the proverb says, "fight dog, fight bear."'

As he made this speech, at which the Baron took another long pinch of
snuff, they had entered the house--that is, the Baron, Rose, and Lady
Emily, with young Stanley and the Bailie, for Edward and the rest of the
party remained on the terrace, to examine a new greenhouse stocked with
the finest plants. The Baron resumed his favourite topic: 'However it
may please you to derogate from the honour of your burgon