This is no mine ain house, I ken by the bigging o't.---Old Song.
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.''
In truth, not only had the felled trees been removed, but, their stumps being grubbed up, and the earth round them levelled and sown with grass, every mark of devastation, unless to an eye intimately acquainted with the spot, was already totally obliterated.There was a similar reformation in the outward man of Davie Gellatley, who met them, every now and then stopping to admire the new suit which graced his person, in the same colours as formerly, but bedizened fine enough to have served Touchstone himself.He danced up with his usual ungainly frolics, first to the Baron, and then to Rose, passing his hands over his clothes, crying, ``_Bra', bra'
Davie,_'' and scarce able to sing a bar to an end of his thousand-and-one-songs, for the breathless extravagance of his joy.The dogs also acknowledged their old master with a thousand gambols.``Upon my conscience, Rose,'' ejaculated the Baron, ``the gratitude o' thae dumb brutes, and of that puir innocent, brings the tears into my auld een, while that schellum Malcolm ---but I'm obliged to Colonel Talbot for putting my hounds into such good condition, and likewise for puir Davie.But, Rose, my dear, we must not permit them to be a liferent burden upon the estate.''
As he spoke, Lady Emily, leaning upon the arm of her husband met the party at the lower gate, with a thousand welcomes.After the ceremony of introduction had been gone through, much abridged by the ease and excellent breeding of Lady Emily, she apologised for having used a 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 minuti<ae> 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: