He looked at me to see what I was driving at.
“Excuse my question, Duke,” said I, “but do you think it probable that we shall have war?”
“Very probable,” said he, looking at me in his turn. “But why that question?”
“Because, in that event, your Grace, I shall not have lost my time.”
“What would you do if there were war?”
“If France be menaced, every one capable of bearing a musket should fly to its defence.”
He looked at my gun. It was the one which he had given me.
“So you can not only carry a gun, but you know how to use it.”
“In fact, your Grace,” said I, laughing, “thanks to your noble gift, I am such a capital shot, that if I had a Prussian or Austrian at the end of it, I fancy they would pass an uncomfortable quarter of an hour.”
“You think so?”