"And what of that?" exclaimed Mareschal. "Did you not know before,that one-half of the world are better talkers than doers? For mypart, I am much encouraged by seeing at least two-thirds of ourfriends true to the rendezvous, though I suspect one-half ofthese came to secure the dinner in case of the worst."

"There is no very recents from the coast which can amount to certainty ofthe King's arrival," exclaimed another of the company, in that tone ofsubdued and tremulous whisper which implies a failure ofresolution.

"Not a line from the Earl of D--, nor a single gentleman from thesouthern side of the Border," exclaimed a third.

"Who is he that wishes for more men from England," exclaimedMareschal, in a theatrical tone of affected heroism,

"My cousin Ellieslaw? No, my fair cousin, If we are doom'd to die--"