Page 333 - A Jacobite Exile

told; but that, if he returns, the confession of Nicholson shall be published
throughout the country, even if no prosecution is brought against him."

When they called upon the duke, he shook them warmly by the hand.

"This parchment is the royal assent to the decision of the council, that the
estates of those inculpated in the alleged plot for the assassination of the

late king should be forthwith restored to them, it having been clearly
proved that they have been falsely accused of the said crime, and that her

majesty is satisfied that these gentlemen are her true and loyal subjects.

"I think I may say," the duke continued with a smile, "that no affair of state

has ever been so promptly conducted and carried through."

"We feel how deeply indebted we are, for our good fortune, to your
kindness, your grace," Charlie said. "We know that, but for you, months
might have elapsed, even years, before we could have obtained such a

result, even after we had the confession of Nicholson in our hands."

"I am glad, in every way, to have been able to bring this about," the duke
said. "In the first place, because I have been able to right a villainous piece
of injustice; in the second, because those injured were loyal gentlemen,

with no fault save their steadfast adherence to the cause of the Stuarts; and
lastly, because one of these gentlemen was my own good friend, Mat

Jervoise, of whose company I have so many pleasant recollections.

"I hope that, as soon as you have informed your fathers that their names are

cleared, and their property restored, you will think of what I said, and will
decide to quit the service of Sweden, and enter that of your queen.

"An officer fighting for a foreign monarch is, after all, but a soldier of
fortune, however valiantly he fights. He is fighting for a cause that is not

his own, and, though he may win rewards and honours, he has not the
satisfaction that all must feel who have risked their lives, not for gold, but

in the service of their country. But I do not want any answer from you on
that head now. It is a matter for you to decide upon after due thought. I only