"Count," I said, "you know as well as I do that our enemy is Bornia, is it not so?"
"I am afraid she is."
"Personally, I am convinced that before long we shall be forced to fight."
"That is so, your Majesty."
"I do not believe that anything would induce her to stop her preparations, preparations that are being conducted secretly."
"I am afraid that it is extremely unlikely."
"Very well, I am determined that Rudarlia shall be victorious, and I consider it essential that they shall underestimate our forces."
"But why retain the obsolete weapons, your Majesty?"
"Can the men fire with them?"
"Yes, and well, too, considering."