It was just when this important question was decided that the Baron of Bradwardine, with a careful and yet important expression of countenance, joined the two young men.  He descended from his reeking charger, the care of which he recommended to one of his grooms.  ‘I seldom ban, sir,’ said he to the man; ’but if you play any of your hound’s-foot tricks, and leave puir Berwick before he’s sorted, to rin after spuilzie, deil be wi’ me if I do not give your craig a thraw.’  He then stroked with great complacency the animal which had borne him through the fatigues of the day, and having taken a tender leave of him—­’ Weel, my good young friends, a glorious and decisive victory,’ said he; ’but these loons of troopers fled ower soon.  I should have liked to have shown you the true points of the pralium equestre, or equestrian combat, whilk their cowardice has postponed, and which I hold to be the pride and terror of warfare.  Weel—­I have fought once more in this old quarrel, though I admit I could not be so far Ben as you lads, being that it was my point of duty to keep together our handful of horse.  And no cavalier ought in any wise to begrudge honour that befalls his companions, even though they are ordered upon thrice his danger, whilk, another time, by the blessing of God, may be his own case.  But, Glennaquoich, and you, Mr. Waverley, I pray ye to give me your best advice on a matter of mickle weight, and which deeply affects the honour of the house of Bradwardine.  I crave your pardon, Ensign Maccombich, and yours, Inveraughlin, and yours, Edderalshendrach, and yours, sir.’

The last person he addressed was Ballenkeiroch, who, remembering the death of his son, loured on him with a look of savage defiance.  The Baron, quick as lightning at taking umbrage, had already bent his brow when Glennaquoich dragged his major from the spot, and remonstrated with him, in the authoritative tone of a chieftain, on the madness of reviving a quarrel in such a moment.

‘The ground is cumbered with carcasses,’ said the old mountaineer, turning sullenly away; ’one more would hardly have been kenn’dupon it; and if it wasna for yoursell, Vich lan Vohr, that one should be Bradwardine’s or mine.’

The Chief soothed while he hurried him away; and then returned to the Baron.  ‘It is Ballenkeiroch,’ he said, in an under and confidential voice, ’father of the young man who fell eight years since in the unlucky affair at the mains.’

‘Ah!’ said the Baron, instantly relaxing the doubtful sternness of his features, ’I can take naickle frae a man to whom I have unhappily rendered sic a displeasure as that.  Ye were right to apprise me, Glennaquoich; he may look as black as midnight at Martinmas ere Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine shall say he does him wrang.  Ah!  I have nae male lineage, and I should bear with one I have made childless, though you are aware the blood-wit was made up to your ain satisfaction by assythment, and that I have since expedited letters of slains.  Weel, as I have said, I have no male issue, and yet it is needful that I maintain the honour of my house; and it is on that score I prayed ye for your peculiar and private attention.’