He longed to have the word of such a man that his enterprise was not as desperate as Wilding had seemed at first to paint it.

But Wilding made no concession to hopes or desires when he dealt with facts.
"Men will flock to you, no doubt; persecution has wearied many of the country-folk, and they are ready for revolt.

But they are all untrained in arms; they are rustics, not soldiers.

If any of the men of position were to rally round your standard they would bring the militia, and others in their train; they would bring arms, horses, and money, all of which Your Grace must be sorely needing." "They will come," answered the Duke.
"Some, no doubt," Wilding agreed; "but had it been next year, I would have answered for it that it would have been no handful had ridden in to welcome you.

Scarce a gentleman of Devon or Somerset, of Dorset or Hampshire, of Wiltshire or Cheshire but would have hastened to your side." "They will come as it is," the Duke repeated with an almost womanish insistence, persisting in believing what he hoped, all evidence apart.
The door opened and Ensign Cragg made his appearance.