“Because the French beat us … and there seems no hope for you.”

“How can I despair?” answered the young General. “God has me by the hand.”

The dying man glanced at him sharply and curiously—

“Does Your Highness—believe—like that?”

William smiled.

“Could I live if I did not believe?”

Matthew Bromley’s blue eyes were still fixed on him intently.

“I never thought of it—much—but I detain Your Highness——”

“No, no, there is nothing I can do till the dawn.”

“In my coat——”