"Spare the commentary, Colonel Charteris! What lies within?"
"In substance it is an offer from Wallenstein, begging for a command from Gustavus of a pitiful twelve thousand men, and promising in return to drive the Emperor and every Habsburg out of Austria."
The eyes of the Archduchess flashed. Her colour rose. Her bosom heaved and fell.
She stretched forth her hand for the letter.
Nigel did not hesitate. He gave it. Was it not his to give, his only spoil of the battlefield?
"You have made no copy? Told no one?"
"No, your Highness!"
She held out her hand again in token of dismissal. Nigel kissed it, gave one swift glance at her imperial face and went away to the ramparts.