"Ay, ma'am!"—when Jack could edge an answer in. "And if you desire to find another, who reckons General Moore to be the foremost English soldier of his time, and to be one of the noblest of men, why, I've but to refer you to Ivor."
Mrs. Bryce did not seem quite convinced even yet. "And you are not seeking to take me in, Jack! You are not jesting?"
"'Tis no matter for jesting, I do assure you, ma'am. The name of so gallant a hero as John Moore is not to be handled lightly."
"He has been of late in command at Brighthelmstone, and there is talk of his being sent to Chatham," observed Mr. Bryce.
"For my part, had I the choice, I would fain follow him to the world's end," murmured Jack.
"And now I bethink myself!" exclaimed Mrs. Bryce. "Was not that a Mrs. Moore, whom in the Pump Room yesterday forenoon Mrs. Peirce introduced me to, saying that I should feel myself honoured, knowing her son's name? I protest. I had forgot the matter till now, having my attention drawn off, and not thinking of the name of General Moore."
Mr. Bryce intimated that his wife was in the right. He, too, had exchanged a word with Mrs. Moore; and he had imagined that Mrs. Bryce understood who she was. General Moore's mother was the widow of a very able Glasgow physician, also a successful author, as he proceeded to explain.
"She appears to be of a singularly retiring and gentle disposition," he observed; "and genteel in her manners. The General, 'tis said, has been always distractedly fond of his mother and sister, and they are here together for a few days. War being now declared, I fear his services will be quickly needed elsewhere."
The attention of Mrs. Bryce was as effectively diverted as Jack had wished. "The General's mother—and friends of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton," she meditated aloud. "A most unassuming person. But since I'm introduced, I'll most certainly leave upon them my visiting-ticket."
"By all means, my dear, if you so desire," assented her husband. "'Tis reported that the good lady cares not greatly for society; but nevertheless she will take it well, in compliment to her son's merits and fame."