Molly shook her head. "If Roy was here, I should never want to go away," she said decisively. "But if you care more for General Moore than for us----" "Pooh! What nonsense!" retorted Jack; and Polly exclaimed-- "Molly, how can you say such a thing? Jack wants to be one of the first to fight in defence of England. Do you not see? It is but right. He would be no true soldier, otherwise. If Captain Ivor were but free to do the same! Yes, indeed, I do wish it! It is terrible for him to be cut off from action--but not for Jack to wish to be foremost. O fie, Molly dear, you must have more sense." "Polly always understands," murmured Jack; and Molly would have given much at the moment to have had those words spoken of herself. She hung her head and was mute. Tender-hearted Polly could never endure to see anyone sad or abashed, and her hand stole into Molly's as she went on-- "But Molly will understand now. Jack, she and I have this morning learnt by heart a verse of Mr. Walter Scott's, which 'tis said he has but just writ. Molly, you shall say the words to Jack, for they are brave words. Hold up your head, dear, and speak out, as an Englishwoman should." Molly obeyed, not sorry for the chance to redeem her previous error, and to re-establish herself in Jack's good graces, for which she cared more than she quite allowed to herself. She held her head well up, therefore, and spouted with considerable effect-- "'If ever breath of British gale Shall fan the tricolour, Or footstep of invader rude, With rapine foul and red with blood, Pollute our happy shore, Then farewell, home! and farewell, friends! Adieu, each tender tie! Resolved, we mingle in the tide, Where charging squadrons furious ride, To conquer or to die.'" "Come, that is good. That was well said. You understand too, I see, Molly. I e'en thought it must be so--you, a British Colonel's daughter! And you'll both bid me God-speed. And when Napoleon is beaten, and old England is again in safety, I'll come back, and be grannie's home-boy once more. Eh, ma'am?" "Yes, yes, Jack; yes, my dear boy." Mrs. Fairbank did her best to control her voice, and as usual when agitated she knitted at railway speed. "You will do your duty, Jack. I am sure of it. And General Moore will be a good friend to you."