"Wyatt, who I understand was a youthful comrade of yours, has done it."
"Pray do not ask me to imitate any example furnished by Braxton Wyatt."
Colonel de Peyster laughed again.
"He is not an attractive youth, I confess," he said, "but you would count for much more than Braxton Wyatt with us."
"I shall never count at all," replied Henry. "I am for my own people always."
Colonel de Peyster, the Tory, flushed, but he continued:
"Think of the rewards under the King. This is a vast and fertile continent, and those who hold it for him will surely receive vast estates. Any one of us may be as great a feudal lord as Sir William Johnson has been."
"If you triumph," said Henry, although he spoke purposely in a light tone.
"There is no 'if'; we are bound to succeed, and now, sir, as we have eaten we shall drink to your escape."
The attendant poured two glasses of wine and Colonel de Peyster raised his, looking for a minute or two at the little bubbles as they broke.