"She was the grandmother of our present king, Charles!"
"And what brought you here?"
"A younger son's lack of fortune, and a taste for sword-play!"
"But surely at the English court!"
"There were already too many Scots, too many younger sons, and a king who had no taste for sword-play, madame!"
"They say the English ladies are rich and beautiful! Were there none who would keep a Scottish gentleman from crossing the seas to find a fortune, when she held one in her lap?"
"I would not have looked beyond her face, madame, and, wanting a fortune of my own, would never have looked her in the face to ask for hers."
"You are too proud, sir! And how long have you plied the trade of a soldier?"
"Since Wallenstein raised his army and fought with Mansfeld. Five years, madame!"