No, wife; the king shall not find me wanting, for in serving my king, I serve my God; and if I should fail, it may hold that an honest failure comes nigh enough a victory to be set down in the chronicles of the high countries.

But in truth it presses on me sorely, and I am troubled at heart that I should be so given over to failure.' 'Never heed it, my lord.

The sun comes out clear at last maugre all the region fogs.' 'Thanks, sweet heart! Things do look up a little in the main, and if the king had but a dozen more such friends as my lord marquis, they would soon be well.

Why, my dove of comfort, wouldst thou believe it ?--I did this day, as I rode home to seek thy fair face, I did count up what sums he hath already spent for his liege; and indeed I could not recollect them all, but I summed up, of pounds already spent by him on his majesty's behalf, well towards a hundred and fifty thousand! And thou knowest the good man, that while he giveth generously like the great Giver, he giveth not carelessly, but hath respect to what he spendeth.' 'Thy father, Ned, is loyalty and generosity incarnate.

If thou be but half so good a husband as thy father is a subject, I am a happy woman.' 'What! know'st thou not yet thy husband, Peggy ?' 'In good soberness, though, Ned, surely the saints in heaven will never let such devotion fail of its end.' 'My father is but one, and the king's foes are many.