Maurice was ambitious enough, perhaps, but his ambition ran in no such direction.

Willoughby knew better; and thought that by humouring the petulant young man it might be possible to manage him.
"Maurice is young," he said, "hot-headed; coveting honour.

If we do but look at him through our fingers, without much words, but with providence enough, baiting his hook a little to his appetite, there is no doubt but he might be caught and kept in a fish-pool; while in his imagination he may judge it a sea.

If not, 'tis likely he will make us fish in troubled waters." Maurice was hardly the fish for a mill-pond even at that epoch, and it might one day be seen whether or not he could float in the great ocean of events.

Meanwhile, he swam his course without superfluous gambols or spoutings.
The commander of her Majesty's forces was not satisfied with the States, nor their generals, nor their politicians.