“Major Vaughan can tell you more about the political state of the country, and its prospects, than any one else,” she went on, “except, perhaps, Colonel Pepperell.  How is it, Major, does he keep peace with you?”

“No, Mistress Royal, he distances me as far as a race-horse does an old cob.  The cob has its uses, though,” he added with a feint of resignation to circumstances that he waited to hear denied.  A flash of amusement shot over Elizabeth’s face.

“When danger is scented from afar, when battles are to be fought, or hot work to be done, when spirit and daring are needed,” she answered, “this ‘old cob’ that has been spoken of so disrespectfully will turn out a war-horse clothed with thunder, and swallowing the ground with fierceness and rage, if everybody else is not equally brave.”

“You have hit the nail on the head,” said Colonel Pepperell’s voice behind her; “a good telling hit, too; that is Vaughan to the life.  When this war that has just begun here grows hot we we shall hear from him.”

“And from you, too,” volunteered Sir Temple, who a few minutes before had been talking with the speaker.

“I hope I shall not be backward in the service of my king and my country,” said Pepperell.  “And all these men that are thinking merely of pleasure to-day I have no doubt will soon be deep in deadly work; for the war is coming upon us, we shall have to meet it.”

As Elizabeth listened, she looked from one to another of the men about her, and her eyes fell at last upon Archdale.  War was coming, and he would be sure to go to meet it; perhaps this would solve his difficulties for him and take him from the burden he hated, since perhaps it could, not be taken from him.  Yet, it would be a hard way for a man so young,—­with so much of life in him.  The feeling that some one was watching her made her turn her eyes suddenly to the left whence the disturbing force had come.  They met those of Edmonson, brighter than ever, and fixed upon her, as if he were reading her thoughts.  Perhaps he had been, for he stood quite near and Colonel Pepperell’s words had been loud enough to be heard by several.  She moved her head, resenting the surveillance.  What right had he to say to her in any manner, “I know what your trouble is.”  His further thought she did not arrive at.  Stephen crossed the room and came up to the speaker.  Edmonson resumed his conversation with Katie.

“Yes,” said Stephen, “war has come.  When are we to pay back the Canso affairs, and how?  Our forts are not to be taken like that while we sit tamely down and bear it; the sooner we act the better.  Where shall we strike?  Who is to tell us?  We must have a General.  There are soldiers enough.”

Major Vaughan’s eyes flashed, and he turned his feet one way and the other in a restlessness that would not find vent for itself in speech.  Elizabeth looked at him with a smile at finding her prediction so instantly verified.  But she, too, was silent.