Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 2Scott, Walter
History
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 2
Scott, Walter
Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
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 away, 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 now I talk of hounds, is not
yon Ban and Buscar who come scouping up the avenue with Davie
Gellatley?'
'I vote we should go to meet them, sir,' said Waverley, 'for I
believe the present master of the house is Colonel Talbot, who
will expect to see us. We hesitated to mention to you at first
that he had purchased your ancient patrimonial property, and even
yet, if you do not incline to visit him, we can pass on to the
Bailie's.'
The Baron had occasion for all his magnanimity. However, he drew a
long breath, took a long snuff, and observed, since they had
brought him so far, he could not pass the Colonel's gate, and he
would be happy to see the new master of his old tenants. He
alighted accordingly, as did the other gentlemen and ladies; he
gave his arm to his daughter, and as they descended the avenue
pointed out to her how speedily the 'Diva Pecunia of the Southron
--their tutelary deity, he might call her--had removed the marks of
spoliation.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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