We shall recapture the towns which he has taken, and if the enemy should dare to accept battle we shall beat him, and shall be in a position to march upon Vienna." "Horn's arguments are the strongest," Nigel Graheme said gravely; "the course he advises is the most prudent one." "Undoubtedly," Munro replied; "but I think that it will not be followed.
The duke is of a fiery spirit, and he would feel it, as most of us would feel it, a disgrace to fall back without striking a blow for Nordlingen.
He has, too, been goaded nearly to madness during the last few days by messengers and letters which have reached him from the reformed princes and the free towns in all parts of Germany, reproaching him bitterly for having suffered Ratisbon and Donauworth to fall into the hands of the enemy without a blow, and he feels that his honour is concerned.

I have little doubt that we shall fight a great battle to save Nordlingen.".