I pray you, father, be
guided by the opinion of your good friend, Mr. Jervoise."
Sir Marmaduke touched his horse's flank with his heel.
"You have prevailed, Charlie. Your last argument decided me. I have
no right to risk my life, after my good friends have done so much
to save me. John Dormay may enjoy his triumph for a while, but a
day of reckoning will surely come.
"Now, tell me of the others, Jervoise. Have all escaped in safety?"
"All. Your boy brought me the news of your arrest, and that we were
charged with plotting William's assassination. I rode that night
with the news, and next day all were on the road to the coast, and
were happily on board and away before the news of their escape
could be sent to the ports."
"And now, what are your plans, Jervoise--that is, if you have any
plans, beyond reaching a port and taking ship for France?"
"I am going to Sweden," Mr. Jervoise said, and then repeated the
reasons that he had given Charlie for taking this step.
"I am too old for the wars," Sir Marmaduke said. "I was sixty last
birthday, and though I am still strong and active, and could strike
a shrewd blow in case of need, I am too old for the fatigues and
hardships of campaigning. I could not hope, at my age, to obtain a
commission in the Swedish service.
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