But it is a poor life.

As I looked down upon Keith's face today, I thought how empty is any honour that adventurers like ourselves can gain.

I myself have risen too; but what does it bring?
Responsibility, toil, the consciousness that a solitary mistake may bring you into disgrace; and that, in any case, the end may be like this: death on a battlefield, fighting in a quarrel in which you have no concern, and of which you may disapprove; a grave soon forgotten; a name scarce known to one's countrymen.

It is not worth it." The general spoke in a tone of deep feeling.
"I have made up my mind not to continue in the service, after the war is over," Fergus said, after a short pause; "although the king has personally been very kind to me and, when the marshal remained in Bohemia, he took me on his own staff." "That is right, and as you are young, a few years' further service will do you no harm.

It will, indeed, do you good; that is, if you pass through it unharmed.