"Nay, why not forty or fifty?" muttered Jack. "Nay, Molly!" as he felt her start. "Who knows? The war may last but six months. And Roy is free." But he could not speak of Ivor as free, and he saw Polly's colour deepen, her eyes filling. This could not be allowed to go on. A diversion had become necessary; and Jack's voice was heard to say something in slow insistent tones, making itself audible through Mrs. Bryce's continued outpour.
"A very great friend of his Grace, the Duke of Hamilton," reached her ears; and Mrs. Bryce, being much of a tuft-hunter, stopped short.
"You were saying, Jack—What was that which you were pleased to remark?"
"I did but observe, ma'am, that the Duke of Hamilton's particular friend—who is also in my humble opinion and in the opinion of many others, the greatest of living Englishmen—chances to be at this instant staying in Bath."
"The Duke's particular friend! Then of a surety, 'tis somebody whom also we are acquainted with, my dear,"—turning to her husband. "Somebody doubtless in the world of mode and fashion; and 'twould be vastly odd if we had not come across him."
"We can scarce claim to be acquainted with all his Grace's friends," objected Mr. Bryce mildly.
"Well, well—that's as may be. But who is the distinguished person, Jack?"
"None less than General Moore himself, ma'am."
Mrs. Bryce held up startled hands, and vowed that the most ardent wish of her heart was to set eyes on this Hero of heroes, General John Moore, whom by a succession of mischances she had hitherto failed to meet.
"Though in truth, 'tis no such marvel, since the General is for ever away across the seas, fighting his country's battles," she added. "Except in the year of the Peace, when each time that I would have seen him fate prevented me. And he is in Bath at this moment, say you? General Moore—that was Governor of St. Lucia, and that was under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, both there and in Egypt! And that Denham Ivor was under also, in both places! General Moore, his very own self!"