Page 72 - A Jacobite Exile

John Dormay may enjoy his triumph for a while, but a day of reckoning
will surely come.

"Now, tell me of the others, Jervoise. Have all escaped in safety?"

"All. Your boy brought me the news of your arrest, and that we were
charged with plotting William's assassination. I rode that night with the

news, and next day all were on the road to the coast, and were happily on
board and away before the news of their escape could be sent to the ports."

"And now, what are your plans, Jervoise--that is, if you have any plans,
beyond reaching a port and taking ship for France?"

"I am going to Sweden," Mr. Jervoise said, and then repeated the reasons

that he had given Charlie for taking this step.

"I am too old for the wars," Sir Marmaduke said. "I was sixty last birthday,

and though I am still strong and active, and could strike a shrewd blow in
case of need, I am too old for the fatigues and hardships of campaigning. I

could not hope, at my age, to obtain a commission in the Swedish service."

"No, I did not think of your joining the army, Sir Marmaduke, though I

warrant you would do as well as most; but I thought that you might take up
your residence at Stockholm, as well as at Saint Germains. You will find

many Scottish gentlemen there, and not a few Jacobites who, like yourself,
have been forced to fly. Besides, both the life and air would suit you better
than at Saint Germains, where, by all accounts the life is a gay one, and

men come to think more of pleasure than of duty. Moreover, your money
will go much further in Sweden than in France."

Sir Marmaduke, checking the horse's speed, said, "I have not so much as a
penny in my pocket, and methinks I am like to have some trouble in getting

at the hoard I have been collecting, ever since Dutch William came to the
throne, for the benefit of His Majesty when he arrives."