“Because he was an old friend.”
“Let me see,” continued the officer; “Sir Henry asked you to join us, did he not?”
“Several times,” said Hilary quietly.
“Ah, yes! I suppose he would. Came to see you when you were a prisoner, I suppose?”
“He did.”
“But he is not a good diplomat, Sir Henry Norland. By the way, what did he offer you?”
“The captaincy of a man-of-war.”
“Young as you were?”
“Young as I am.”
“But that was in prospective. Hard gold coin is much more satisfactory, Mr Hilary Leigh,” said the officer, pouring out some bright golden guineas upon the table. “Of course you thought that Charles Edward might not come to the throne, and that you would never get your—get your—”