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.

242 WmAV REYtJ V NOVEfL8
onDs8t IHector, better accustomed to the artillery of the field than to thnt
of the law, saw this mystical ceremony with great indifference; and with
like unconcern beheld the messehger sit down to write out an execution of
deforcement. But at this moment, to prevent the well-im-eaning hot-headed
Highlander from running the risk of a severe penalty, the Antiquary
arrived puffing and blowing, with his handkerchief crammed under his hat,
and his wig upon the end of his stick.
"What the deuce is the matter here?" he exclainmed, hastily adjusting
his head-gear; "I have been following you in fear of finding your idle log-.
gerhead knocked against one rock or other, and here I find you parted with
your Bucephalus, and quarrelling with Sweepclean. A messenger, Hector,
is a worse foe than a phoca, whether it be the phoca barbcda, or the p7hoca
vitulina of your late conflict."
"D-n the phoca, sir," said Hector, "C whether it be the one or the other
-I say d-n them both particularly! I think you would not have me stand
quietly by and see a scoundrel like this, because he calls himself a king's
messenger, forsooth - (I hope the king has many better for his meanest
errands)-insult a young lady of family and fashion like Miss Wardour?"
"Rightly argued, Hector," said the Antiquary; "but the king, like other
people, has now and then shabby errands, and, in your ear, must have
shabby fellows to do them. But even supposing you unacquainted with
the statutes of William the Lion, in which capile quarto versu quinto, this
crime of deforcement is termed despectus Domini Regis-a contempt, to wit,
of the king himself, in whose name all legal diligence issues,-could you
not have inferred, from the information I took so much pains to give you
to-day, that those who interrupt officers who come to execute letters of caption, are tanquamn participes criminis rebelionis? seeing that he who aids a
rebel,,is himself, quodammodo, an accessory to rebellion-But I'll bring you
out of the scrape."
He then spoke to the messenger, who, upon his arrival, had laid aside all
thoughts of making a good by-job out of the deforcement, and accepted Mr.
Oldbuck's assurances that the horse and taxed-cart should be safely returned
in the course of two or three hours.
" Very well, sir," said- the Antiquary, "since you are disposed to be so
civil, you shall have another job in your own best way-a little cast of state
politics - a crime punishable per Legen Juliarn, Mr. Sweepclean - Hark
thee hither."
And, after a whisper of five minutes, he gave him a slip of paper, on
receiving which, the messenger mounted his horse, and, with one of his
assistants, rode away pretty sharply. The fellow who remained seemed to
delay his operations purposely, proceeded in the rest of his duty very slowly,
and with the caution and precision of one who feels himself overlooked by
a skilful and severe inspector.
In the meantime, Oldbuck, taking his nephew by the arm, led him into
the house, and they were ushered into the presence of Sir Arthur Wardour,
who, in a flutter between wounded pride, agonized apprehension, and vain
attempts to disguise both under a show of indifference, exhibited a spectacle
of painful interest.
" Happy to see you, Mr. Oldbuck - always happy to see my friends in
fair weather or foul," said the poor baronet, struggling, not for-composure,
but for gaiety-an affectation which was strongly contrasted by the nervous and protracted grasp of his hand, and the agitation of his whole demeanour-" I am happy to see you. You are riding, I see-I hope in this
confusion your horses are taken good care of — I always like to have my
friends' horses looked after-Egad! they. will have all my care now, for you
see they are like to leave me none of my own -he! he! he! eh, Mr.
Oldbuck?"