This occurred on an after-Christmas evening of the year 1895.
When the decisive conversation which I have just related was taking place between Mrs.van Koopman and Cecil Rhodes, Doctor Jameson and his handful of eager adventurers had already entered Transvaal territory.

The Raid had become an accomplished fact.

It was soon realised that it was the most deplorable affair that could have occurred for the reputation of Cecil Rhodes and for his political future.

The rebound, indeed, was immediate; his political career came to an end that day.
The person who was struck most painfully by this disgraceful and cryingly stupid adventure was Mrs.van Koopman.

All her illusions--and she had nursed many concerning Rhodes--were destroyed at one blow.