The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE ANTIQUARY. 213
pray, Captain Iector, who are so ready to be every man's second on all
occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the sea-beach,
what is your especial concern with old Edie Ochiltree?"
"He was a soldier in my father's company, sir," replied Hector; " and
besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he interfered
to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, as you could
have done yourself."
" And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it - Eh, Hector?Come, confess it was thrown away."
" Indeed it was, sir; but I see no reason that my folly should make me
less grateful for his intended kindness."
"Bravo, tIector! that's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say.
But always tell me your plans without reserve; - why, I will go with you
myself, man. I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist him
in such a scrape much more effectually than you can do. Besides, it will
save thee half-a-guinea, my lad - a consideration which I heartily pray you
to have more frequently before your eyes."
Lord Glenallan's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with
the ladies, when the dispute between the uncle and nephew appeared to
grow rather too animated to be fit for the ear of a stranger, but the Earl
mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the Antiquary
expressed amity. Having received a brief account of the mendicant, and
of the accusation brought against him, which Oldbuck did not hesitate to
ascribe to the malice of Dousterswivel, Lord Glenallan asked, whether the
individual in question had not been a soldier formerly? - He was answered
in the affirmative.
" HIad he not," continued his lordship, "a coarse blue coat, or gown, with
a badge? - was he not a tall, striking-looking old man, with grey beard
and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect, and talked with an air of
ease and independence, which formed a strong contrast to his profession?"
"All this is an exact picture of the man," returned Oldbuck.
"Why, then," continued Lord Glenallan, "although I fear I can be of
no use to him in his present condition, yet I owe him a debt of gratitude
for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost importance. I would willingly offer him a place of comfortable retirement,
when he is extricated from his present situation."
" I fear, my lord," said Oldbuck, " he would have difficulty in reconciling
his vagrant habits to the acceptance of your bounty; at least I know the
experiment has been tried without effect. To beg from the public at large
he considers as independence, in comparison to drawing his whole support
from the bounty of an individual. He is so far a true philosopher, as to be
a contemner of all ordinary rules of hours and times. When he is hungry
he eats; when thirsty he drinks; when weary he sleeps; and with such
indifference with respect to the means and appliances about which we make
a fuss, that I suppose he was never ill dined or ill lodged in his life. Then
he is, to a certain extent, the oracle of the district through which he travels
-their genealogist, their newsman, their master of the revels, their doctor
at a pinch, or their divine; —I promise you he has too many duties, and is
too zealous in performing them, to be easily bribed to abandon his calling.
But I should be truly sorry if they sent the poor light-hearted old man to
lie for weeks in a jail. I am convinced the confinement would break his
heart."
Thus finished the conference. Lord Glenallan, having taken leave of the
ladies, renewed his offer to Captain M'Intyre of the freedom of his manors
for sporting, which was joyously accepted. "I can only add," he said,
"that if your spirits are not liable to be damped by dull company, Glenallan-House is at all times open to you. On two days of the week, Friday
and Saturday, I keep my apartment, which will be rather a relief to you,