“My lady,” I answered, after a few moments’ pause, “you have asked me for my candid opinion, and giving that, I dare not buoy you up with false hopes. This only will I say, that the army which James has got together is as inferior in arms and discipline to that of William as the former leader’s ability as a general is surpassed by the latter’s military genius. One issue alone is possible—the downfall of the Stuart cause.”
She remained silent for a few moments, digesting, I suppose, my words. On a sudden she looked up.
“You have seen much service abroad, sir?” she said inquiringly.
“Aye, madam,” I made answer. “My sword has been drawn in many quarrels and has owned many masters.”
“But always in the cause of honour, sir,” she said quickly.
“Honour?” I rejoined. “Ah, madam, what have such as I to do with honour? Honour—a chimera—the dream of fools! With me, that is the cause of honour which puts most guineas in my purse, be the right of the quarrel what it may.”
“Oh,” she said impulsively, “I could not live a life like that.”
“Nay, madam,” I answered quietly, “but you are a woman—a woman sweet and beautiful and pure—thank God for it!”
“A woman with a woman’s wayward passions and sins,” she replied.
“Ah, my lady,” I answered, “sins?—you?”