“But can our freedom thus be secured?” asked Alice. “All the blood shed in former years gained nothing, and in the end the king, who has just died, was more securely seated on the throne than his father had been. You belong to a peaceable profession, and whatever is done, I entreat you not to engage personally in warlike undertakings.”
“I thought, Mistress Alice, that you were a heroine, and would have been ready to gird on my sword and bid me go forth and fight in a noble cause,” said Stephen, in a half playful, half serious tone.
“And so I would if I were convinced the cause was noble, right, and just, with a prospect of success.”
“I promise you, Mistress Alice, not to draw sword unless in a righteous cause,” said Stephen. “Will that satisfy you?”
“If the cause is righteous; but who is to settle that?” said Alice gravely.
While they were speaking the ships stood off the coast, the wind flowing northerly, and soon again were lost to sight.
“Perhaps after all that may not be the squadron which has been looked for,” said Stephen. “Then you have uselessly been made anxious.”
“I trust it may be so,” said Alice.
And they continued their walk discoursing on subjects far more interesting to themselves than politics. Stephen spoke of his expected career at Bristol, and hoped, he said, to pay occasional visits to Langton and the spot endeared to him more than his paternal home. Though neither wished to return, they remembered that Madam Pauline and the Colonel might naturally complain were they long absent, and they at length bent their steps homeward. As they approached the manor house they were met by a loud shout; presently Roger came rushing out towards them. He greeted Alice as a sister, and shook Stephen warmly by the hand.
“I have just arrived from London town,” he exclaimed. “We only got into the Thames a week ago. I scarcely expected to get leave, but Master Handscombe pressed the point with the Captain, and undertook that I should return in ten days, so that my holiday will be a very short one, and I must make the most of it.”