"That is the hardest condition! But we must needs bow to the tempest. Time will bring its own opportunities afterwards. And the next?"
"That all appointments of officers, from the highest downwards, shall be in the Duke's gift without the need of reference to Vienna."
"The Duke would be the fountain of honour, and every captain his sworn vassal. That is also a hard condition and smacks of Cæsarism!" the Jesuit commented. "Freedom he asks and power absolute while he exercises his functions, but for reward, what reward does he crave?"
"None that he spoke of to me!"
"Ah!" said the Jesuit reflectively. "We are bidden to distrust the Greeks and people bearing gifts. I am also inclined to look a little further when a man is willing to undergo great toil and asks nothing."
"There will be the spoil of the cities and the ransom of the prisoners!" said Nigel.
"The spoil of Stockholm?" the Jesuit inquired with a smile. "Now as to yourself, General. Will you stay here and take your chance of a command under Wallenstein, or join Tilly?"
"I would be where there is work to do!" said Nigel. "And Wallenstein may not name me!"
"You would have made a good regular had you been trained early," said the Father approvingly. "But some day woman will come into your life and divide it into the camps of love and duty."