It made his blood boil in his veins to think how the incapacity of those in command doomed the hopes of so many to such bitter disappointment, and lowered the prestige of England in the eyes of the whole civilized world.
"If Pitt could but have a free hand, things would be different!" exclaimed Wolfe again, speaking aloud, as is the fashion of lonely men.

"But the King is beginning to value and appreciate him, and the nation is learning confidence.

The time will come--yes, the time will come! Heaven send that I live to see the day, and have a hand in the glorious work!" As he spoke these words he observed a certain excitement amongst the dogs playing around him, and guessed that their quick ears had caught sounds of an arrival of some sort.

In a few minutes' time his servant approached him, bearing a letter which he handed to his master, who opened it and cast his eyes over its contents.
"Are the two gentlemen here ?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; they asked that the letter might be given to you, and that they might wait until you had read it." "Then show them out to me here, and bring us coffee," said Wolfe, whose face had put on a look of considerable eagerness and animation; and as the servant retired towards the house, the soldier remained looking after him, as though wistful to catch the first glimpse of the expected guests.
In a few minutes they appeared in the wake of the servant.

Both were quietly dressed in sober riding suits; but there the resemblance ended.