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bridge of several arches, and turning to the left, up an avenue of huge old syca mores, Waverley found himself in front of the gloomy yet picturesque structure which he had admired at a distance. An huge iron-grated door, which formed the exterior defence of the gateway, was al ready thrown back to receive them; and a second, heavily constructed of oak, and studded thickly with iron nails, being next opened, admitted them into the interior court-yard. A gentleman, dressed in the Highland garb, and having a white cock ade in his bonnet, assisted Waverley to dismount from his horse, and with much courtesy bid him welcome to the castle.

The governor, for so we must term him, having conducted Waverley to a half-ruinous apartment, where, however, there was a small camp-bed, and having offered him any refreshment which he desired, was then about to leave him.

"Will you not add to your civilities," said Waverley, after having made the usual

acknowledgment, "by having the kindness to inform me where I am, and whether or not I am to consider myself as a prisoner ?"

"I am not at liberty to be so explicit upon this subject as I could wish. Briefly, however, you are in the Castle of Doune, in the district of Menteith, and in no dan ger whatever."

And how am I assured of that?". "By the honour of Donald Stuart, go vernor of the garrison, and lieutenant-colonel in the service of his Royal Highness Prince Charles Edward." So saying he hastily left the apartment, as if to avoid further discussion.....

Our hero, exhausted by the fatigues of the night, now threw himself upon the bed, and was in a few minutes fast asleep.

2

CHAPTER XVI.

The Journey is continued.

BEFORE Waverley awakened from his repose, the day was far advanced, and he began to feel that he had past many hours without food. This was soon supplied in form of a copious breakfast, but Colonel Stuart, as if wishing to avoid the queries of his guest, did not again present himself. His compliments were, however, delivered by a servant, with an offer to provide any thing in his power that could be useful to Captain Waverley on his journey, which he intimated would be continued that evening. To Waverley's further enquiries, the servant opposed the impenetrable barrier of real or affected ignorance and stupidity. He removed the table and provi

sions, and Waverley was again consigned to his own meditations.

As he contemplated the strangeness of his fortune, which seemed to delight in placing him at the disposal of others, without the power of directing his own motions, Edward's eye suddenly rested upon his portmanteau, which had been deposited in his apartment during his sleep. The mysterious appearance of Alice, in the cottage of the glen, immediately rushed upon his mind, and he was about to secure and examine the packet which she had deposited among his clothes, when the servant of Colonel Stuart again made his appearance, and took up the portmanteau upon his shoulders.

May I not take out a change of linen, my friend ?"

"Your honour sall get ane o' the colonel's ain ruffled sarks, but this maun gang in the baggage-cart."

And so saying, he very coolly carried off the portmanteau, without waiting further

remonstrance, leaving our hero in a state where disappointment and indignation struggled for the mastery. In a few mi nutes he heard a cart rumble out of the rugged court-yard, and made no doubt that he was now dispossessed, for a space at least, if not for ever, of the only documents which seemed to promise some light upon the dubious events which had of late influenced his destiny. With such melan choly thoughts he had to beguile about four or five hours of solitude.

When this space was elapsed, the tramp ling of horse was heard in the court-yard, and Colonel Stuart soon after made his ap. pearance to request his guest to take some farther refreshment before his departure. The offer was accepted, for a late breakfast had by no means left our hero incapable of doing honour to dinner, which was now presented. The conversation of his host was that of a plain country gentleman, mixed with some-soldier-like sentiments and expressions. He cautiously avoided

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