``And now,'' said the Colonel, ``hear my arrangements, for there is little time to lose.This youngster, Edward Waverley, alias Williams, alias Captain Butler, must continue to pass by his fourth _alias_ of Francis Stanley, my nephew: he shall set out to-morrow for the North, and the chariot shall take him the first two stages.Spontoon shall then attend him; and they shall ride post as far as Huntingdon; and the presence of Spontoon, well known on the road as my servant, will check all disposition to inquiry.At Huntingdon you will meet the real Frank Stanley.He is studying at Cambridge; but, a little while ago, doubtful if Emily's health would permit me to go down to the North myself, I procured him a passport from the Secretary of State's office to go in my stead.As he went chiefly to look after you, his journey is now unnecessary.He knows your story; you will dine together at Huntingdon; and perhaps your wise heads may hit upon some plan for removing or diminishing the danger of your further progress northward.
And now (taking out a morocco case), let me put you in funds for the campaign.''
``I am ashamed, my dear Colonel,------''
``Nay,'' said Colonel Talbot, ``you should command my purse in any event; but this money is your own.Your father, considering the chance of your being attainted, left me his trustee for your advantage.So that you are worth above <L>15,000, besides Brerewood Lodge---a very independent person, I promise you.There are bills here for <L>200; any larger sum you may have, or credit abroad, as soon as your motions require it.''
The first use which occurred to Waverley of his newly-acquired wealth, was to write to honest Farmer Jopson, requesting his acceptance of a silver tankard on the part of his friend Williams, who had not forgotten the night of the eighteenth December last.He begged him at the same time carefully to preserve for him his Highland garb and accoutrements, particularly the arms---curious in themselves, and to which the friendship of the donors gave additional value.Lady Emily undertook to find some suitable token of remembrance, likely to flatter the vanity and please the taste of Mrs.Williams;and the Colonel, who was a kind of farmer, promised to send the Ullswater patriarch an excellent team of horses for cart and plough.
One happy day Waverley spent in London; and, travelling in the manner projected, he met with Frank Stanley at Huntingdon.
The two young men were acquainted in a minute.
``I can read my uncle's riddle,'' said Stanley.``The cautious old soldier did not care to hint to me that I might hand over to you this passport, which I have no occasion for; but if it should afterwards come out as the rattle-pated trick of a young Cantab, _cela ne tire <a`> rien._ You are therefore to be Francis Stanley, with this passport.'' This proposal appeared in effect to alleviate a great part of the difficulties which Edward must otherwise have encountered at every turn; and accordingly he scrupled not to avail himself of it, the more especially as he had discarded all political purposes from his present journey, and could not be accused of furthering machinations against the Government while travelling under protection of the Secretary's passport.
The day passed merrily away.The young student was inquisitive about Waverley's campaigns, and the manners of the Highlands; and Edward was obliged to satisfy his curiosity by whistling a pibroch, dancing a strathspey, and singing a Highland song.The next morning Stanley rode a stage northward with his new friend, and parted from him with great reluctance, upon the remonstrances of Spontoon, who, accustomed to submit to discipline, was rigid in enforcing it.