He was a born sportsman and my stories had put a smile on his face so that I felt sure he had a better feeling for me when we arose from the table.
"Then I had an hour alone with Margaret in a corner of the great hall.
We reviewed the years that had passed since our adventure and there was one detail in her history of which I must tell you.

She had had many suitors, and among them one Lionel Clarke--a son of the distinguished General.

Her father had urged her to accept the young man, but she had stood firmly for me.
"'You see, this heart of mine is a stubborn thing,' she said as she looked into my eyes.
"Then it was that we gave to each other the long pledge, often on the lips of lovers since Eros strung his bow, but never more deeply felt.
"'I am sure the sky will clear soon,' she said to me at last.
"Indeed as I bade them good night, I saw encouraging signs of that.
Sir Benjamin had taken a liking to me.

He pressed my hand as we drank a glass of Madeira together and said: "'My boy, I drink to the happiness of England, the colonies and you.'" "'"Time and I" and the will of God,' I whispered, as I left their door.".