It is true that there will be but an interval of an hour and a half between them, but the rule stands good--four meals a day.

England is too rich to grudge her soldiers any of her soldiers' due.

Yes; four meals a day." "Hurrah!" shouted the soldiers, unable this time to keep their delight within the bounds of military decorum; and, turning to the right-about, they marched away, leaving the officers to renew the all-absorbing game.
However confident everyone upon the island might profess to be that succor would be sent them from their native land--for Britain never abandons any of her sons--it could not be disguised that that succor was somewhat tardy in making its appearance.

Many and various were the conjectures to account for the delay.

Perhaps England was engrossed with domestic matters, or perhaps she was absorbed in diplomatic difficulties; or perchance, more likely than all, Northern Europe had received no tidings of the convulsion that had shattered the south.