“Randal,” he said, “it may be that upon reflection you will come to see the error of linking yourself to a government that cannot endure, to the service of a king against whom the hand of Heaven is already raised. You may come to prefer the greatness that we offer you in the future to this crust that Albemarle throws you at the moment. If you are wise, you will. If so, you know where to find me. Seek me there, and be sure of my welcome as of my friendship.” They shook hands and parted, and with a sigh and a smile Holles turned to load himself a pipe. He was not, he thought, likely to see Tucker again. That afternoon he waited upon Albemarle, who gave him particulars of the appointment he had to offer. It was an office of importance, the pay was good, and so that Holles discharged his duties well, which the Duke had no occasion to doubt, there would be even better things in store for him before very long. “The one thing to efface the past is a term of service now, wheresoever it may be. Hereafter when I commend you for some other place, here at home, perhaps, and I am asked what are your antecedents, I need but point to the stout service you will have done us in the Indies, and men will inquire no further. It is a temporary exile, but you may trust me to see that it endures no longer than is necessary.” No such advocacy was needed to induce Holles to accept an office that, after all, was of an importance far beyond anything for which he could reasonably have hoped. He said so frankly by way of expressing his deep gratitude. “In that case, you will seek me again here to-morrow morning. Your commission shall be meanwhile made out.” The Colonel departed jubilant. At last--at long last--after infinite frowns, Fortune accorded him a smile. And she accorded it in the very nick of time, just as he was touching the very depths of his despair and ready to throw in his lot with a parcel of crazy fanatics who dreamed of another revolution. So back to the Paul’s Head he came with his soaring spirits, and called for a bottle of the best Canary. Mrs. Quinn read the omens shrewdly. “Your affairs at Whitehall have prospered, then?” said she between question and assertion. Holles reclined in an armchair, his legs, from which he had removed his boots, stretched luxuriously upon a stool, his head thrown back, a pipe between his lips. “Aye. They’ve prospered. Beyond my deserts,” said he, smiling at the ceiling. “Never that, Colonel. For that’s not possible.” She beamed upon him, proffering the full stoup. He sat up to take it, and looked at her, smiling. “No doubt you’re right. But I’ve gone without my deserts so long that I have lost all sense of them.” “There’s others who haven’t,” said she; and timidly added a question upon the nature of his prosperity. He paused to drink a quarter of the wine. Then, as he set down the vessel on the table at his elbow, he told her.