A Jacobite Exile Read online

  Chapter 7: Exchanged.

  Late in the afternoon, Doctor Kelly came in again to the cell.

  "Come along," he said; "I have got lave for you to have supper withme, and have given my pledge that you won't try to escape till itis over, or make any onslaught on the garrison, but will behavelike a quiet and peaceable man."

  "You are quite safe in giving the pledge, doctor," Charlie laughed.

  "Come along then, me boy, for they were just dishing up when I cameto fetch you. It is cold enough outside, and there is no sinse inputting cold victuals into one in such weather as this."

  They were not long in reaching a snugly-furnished room, where a bigfire was burning. Another gentleman was standing, with his back toit. He was a man of some seven or eight and twenty, with largefeatures, dark brown hair falling in natural curls over his ears,and large and powerful in build.

  "This is my friend, Charlie Carstairs," the doctor said.

  "This, Carstairs, is Peter Michaeloff, a better doctor than most ofthose who mangle the czar's soldiers."

  "Things will better in time," the other said, "when your pupilsbegin to take their places in the army."

  "I hope so," the doctor said, shrugging his shoulders. "There isone comfort, they can't be much worse."

  At this moment a servant entered, bearing a bowl of soup and threebasins. They at once seated themselves at the table.

  "So you managed to get yourself captured yesterday," DoctorMichaeloff said to Charlie. "I have not had the pleasure of seeingmany of you gentlemen here."

  "We don't come if we can help it," Charlie laughed. "But theCossacks were so pressing, that I could not resist. In fact, I didnot know anything about it, until I was well on the way."

  "I hope they have made you comfortable," the other said, sharply.

  "I can't say much for the food," Charlie said, "and still less forthe cell, which was bitterly cold. Still, as the doctor gave me tworugs to wrap myself up in, I need not grumble."

  "That is not right," the other said angrily. "I hear that the Kingof Sweden treats our prisoners well.

  "You should have remonstrated, Kelly."

  The Irishman shrugged his shoulders.

  "I ventured to hint to the general that I thought an officer had aright to better treatment, even if he were a prisoner, but I wastold sharply to mind my own business, which was with the sick andwounded. I said, as the prisoner was wounded, I thought it was amatter that did come to some extent under my control."

  "What did the pig say?"

  "He grumbled something between his teeth, that I did not catch,and, as I thought the prisoner would not be kept there long, andwas not unaccustomed to roughing it, it was not worthwhile pressingthe matter further."

  "Have you heard that an officer has been here this afternoon, witha flag of truce, to treat for your exchange?" Doctor Michaeloffsaid, turning suddenly to Charlie.

  "No, I have not heard anything about it," Charlie said.

  "He offered a captain for you, which you may consider a highhonour."

  "It is, no doubt," Charlie said, with a smile. "I suppose hismajesty thought, as it was in his special service I was caught, hewas bound to get me released, if he could."

  "It was a hunting party, was it not?"

  "Yes. There was only the king with four of his officers there, andmy company of foot, and fifty horse. I don't think I can call it anescort, for we went principally as beaters."

  "Rustoff missed a grand chance there, Kelly.

  "What regiment do you belong to?"

  And he again turned to Charlie.

  "The Malmoe Regiment. The company is commanded by an Englishgentleman, who is a neighbour and great friend of my father. Hisson is an ensign, and my greatest friend. The men are all eitherScotch or English, but most of them Scotch."

  "They are good soldiers, the Scotch; none better. There are a goodmany in the Russian service, also in that of Austria and France.They are always faithful, and to be relied upon, even when nativetroops prove treacherous. And you like Charles of Sweden?"

  "There is not a soldier in his army but likes him," Charlie saidenthusiastically. "He expects us to do much, but he does morehimself. All through the winter, he did everything in his power forus, riding long distances from camp to camp, to visit the sick andto keep up the spirits of the men. If we live roughly, so does he,and, on the march, he will take his meals among the soldiers, andwrap himself up in his cloak, and sleep on the bare ground, just asthey do. And as for his bravery, he exposes his life recklessly--toorecklessly, we all think--and it seemed a miracle that, always in thefront as he was, he should have got through Narva without a scratch."

  "Yes, that was a bad bit of business, that Narva," the other saidthoughtfully. "Why do you think we were beaten in the horrible waywe were?--because the Russians are no cowards."

  "No; they made a gallant stand when they recovered from theirsurprise," Charlie agreed. "But in the first place, they were takenby surprise."

  "They ought not to have been," the doctor said angrily. "They hadnews, two days before, brought by the cavalry, who ought to havedefended that pass, but didn't."

  "Still, it was a surprise when we attacked," Charlie said, "forthey could not suppose that the small body they saw were going toassail them. Then, we had the cover of that snowstorm, and they didnot see us, until we reached the edge of the ditch. Of course, yourgeneral ought to have made proper dispositions, and to havecollected the greater part of his troops at the spot facing us,instead of having them strung out round that big semicircle, sothat, when we made an entry they were separated, and each half wasignorant of what the other was doing. Still, even then they mighthave concentrated between the trenches and the town. But no ordershad been given. The general was one of the first we captured. Theothers waited for the orders that never came, until it was toolate. If the general who commanded on the left had massed histroops, and marched against us as we were attacking the positionthey held on their right, we should have been caught between twofires."

  "It was a badly managed business, altogether," Doctor Michaeloffgrowled; "but we shall do better next time. We shall understandCharles's tactics better. We reckoned on his troops, but we did notreckon on him.

  "Kelly tells me that you would not care to change service."

  "My friends are in the Swedish army, and I am well satisfied withthe service. I daresay, if Russia had been nearer England thanSweden is, and we had landed there first, we should have been asglad to enter the service of the czar as we were to join that ofKing Charles. Everyone says that the czar makes strangers welcome,and that he is a liberal master to those who serve him well. As tothe quarrel between them, I am not old enough to be able to give myopinion on it, though, as far as I am concerned, it seems to methat it was not a fair thing for Russia to take advantage ofSweden's being at war with Denmark and Augustus of Saxony, to fallupon her without any cause of quarrel."

  "Nations move less by morality than interest," Doctor Michaeloffsaid calmly. "Russia wants a way to the sea--the Turks cut her offto the south, and the Swedes from the Baltic. She is smotheredbetween them, and when she saw her chance, she took it. That is notgood morality. I admit that it is the excuse of the poor man whorobs the rich, but it is human nature, and nations act, in the longrun, a good deal like individuals."

  "But you have not told me yet, doctor," Charlie said, turning theconversation, "whether the proposal for an exchange was accepted."

  "The general had no power to accept it, Carstairs. It had to bereferred to the czar himself."

  "I wish his majesty could see me, then," Charlie laughed. "He wouldsee that I am but a lad, and that my release would not greatlystrengthen the Swedish army."

  "But then the czar may be of opinion that none of his officers, whoallowed themselves to be captured by a handful of men at Narva,would be of any use to him," Doctor Michaeloff laughed.

  "That may, doubtless, be said of a good many among them," Charliesaid, "but, individually, none of the captains could
be blamed forthe mess they made of it."

  "Perhaps not, but if all the men had been panic stricken, therewere officers enough to have gathered together and cut their waythrough the Swedes."

  "No doubt there were; but you must remember, Doctor Michaeloff,that an officer's place is with his company, and that it is hisduty to think of his men, before thinking of himself. Supposing allthe officers of the left wing, as you say, had gathered togetherand cut their way out, the czar would have had a right to blamethem for the capture of the whole of the men. How could they tellthat, at daybreak, the general would not have given orders for theleft wing to attack the Swedes? They were strong enough still tohave eaten us up, had they made the effort, and had the czar beenthere in person, I will warrant he would have tried it."

  "That he would," Doctor Michaeloff said warmly. "You are rightthere, young sir. The czar may not be a soldier, but at least he isa man, which is more than can be said for the officer who orderedsixty thousand men to lay down their arms to eight thousand."

  "I am sure of that," Charlie said. "A man who would do as he hasdone, leave his kingdom, and work like a common man in dockyards,to learn how to build ships, and who rules his people as he does,must be a great man. I don't suppose he would do for us in England,because a king has no real power with us, and Peter would never putup with being thwarted in all his plans by parliament, as Williamis. But for a country like Russia, he is wonderful. Of course, ourcompany being composed of Scotchmen and Englishmen, we have noprejudices against him. We think him wrong for entering upon thiswar against Sweden, but we all consider him a wonderful fellow,just the sort of fellow one would be proud to serve under, if wedid not serve under Charles of Sweden.

  "Well, Doctor Kelly, when do you think the czar will be here?"

  The doctor did not reply, but Michaeloff said quietly:

  "He arrived this afternoon."

  "He did!" Charlie exclaimed excitedly.

  "Why did you not tell me before, Doctor Kelly? Has he been askedabout my exchange, and is the Swedish officer still here?"

  "He is here, and you will be exchanged in the morning.

  "I have other things to see about now, and must say goodnight; andif you should ever fall into the hands of our people again, andDoctor Kelly does not happen to be near, ask for Peter Michaeloff,and he will do all he can for you."

  "Then I am really to be exchanged tomorrow, doctor?" Charlie said,as Doctor Michaeloff left the room.

  "It seems like it."

  "But did not you know?"

  "No, I had heard nothing for certain. I knew the czar had come, butI had not heard of his decision. I congratulate you."

  "It is a piece of luck," Charlie said. "I thought it might bemonths before there was an exchange. It is very good of the king tosend over so quickly."

  "Yes; and of the czar to let you go."

  "Well, I don't see much in that, doctor, considering that he gets acaptain in exchange for me; still, of course, he might haverefused. It would not have been civil, but he might have done it."

  "What did you think of my friend, Charlie?"

  "I like him. He has a pleasant face, though I should think he hasgot a temper of his own. He has a splendid figure, and looks morelike a fighting man than a doctor. I will write down his name, soas not to forget it, as he says he might be able to help me if I amever taken prisoner again, and you did not happen to be with thearmy. It is always nice having a friend. Look at the difference ithas made to me, finding a countryman here."

  "Yes, you may find it useful, Carstairs; and he has a good deal ofinfluence. Still, I think it probable that if you ever should getinto a scrape again, you will be able to get tidings of me, for Iam likely to be with the advanced division of our army, wherever itis, as I am in charge of its hospitals.

  "You had better turn in now, for I suppose you will be startingearly, and I have two or three patients I must visit again before Igo to bed. This is your room, next to mine. I managed, after all,to get it changed."

  "That is very good of you, doctor, but it really would not havemattered a bit for one night. It does look snug and warm, with thatgreat fire."

  "Yes, the stoves are the one thing I don't like in Russia. I liketo see a blazing fire, and the first thing I do, when I get intofresh quarters, is to have the stove opened so that I can see one.This is a second room of mine. There were three together, you see,and as my rank is that of a colonel, I was able to get them, and itis handy, if a friend comes to see me, to have a room for him."

  An hour later, just as Charlie was dozing off to sleep, the doctorput his head in to the door.

  "You are to start at daybreak, Carstairs. My servant will call youan hour before that. I shall be up. I must put a fresh bandage onyour head before you start."

  "Thank you very much, doctor. I am sorry to get you up so early."

  "That is nothing. I am accustomed to work at all hours. Goodnight."

  At eight o'clock, having had a bowl of broth, Charlie descended tothe courtyard in charge of an officer and two soldiers, the doctoraccompanying him. Here he found a Swedish officer belonging to theking's personal staff. The Russian handed the lad formally over tohis charge, saying:

  "By the orders of the czar, I now exchange Ensign Carstairs forCaptain Potoff, whom you, on your part, engage to send off atonce."

  "I do," the Swede said; "that is, I engage that he shall be sentoff, as soon as he can be fetched from Revel, where he is nowinterned, and shall be safely delivered under an escort; and thatif, either by death, illness, or escape, I should not be able tohand him over, I will return another officer of the same rank."

  "I have the czar's commands," the Russian went on, "to express hisregret that, owing to a mistake on the part of the officercommanding here, Ensign Carstairs has not received such worthytreatment as the czar would have desired for him, but he has givenstringent orders that, in future, any Swedish officers who may betaken prisoners shall receive every comfort and hospitality thatcan be shown them."

  "Goodbye, Doctor Kelly," Charlie said, as he mounted his horse,which had been saddled in readiness for him. "I am greatly obligedto you for your very great kindness to me, and hope that I may someday have an opportunity of repaying it."

  "I hope not, Carstairs. I trust that we may meet again, but hopethat I sha'n't be in the position of a prisoner. However, strangethings have happened already in this war, and there is no sayinghow fortune may go. Goodbye, and a pleasant journey."

  A Russian officer took his place by the side of the Swede, and anescort of twenty troopers rode behind them, as they trotted outthrough the gate of the convent.

  "It was very kind of the king to send for me," Charlie said to theSwede, "and I am really sorry that you should have had so long aride on my account, Captain Pradovich."

  "As to that, it is a trifle," the officer said. "If I had not beenriding here, I should be riding with the king elsewhere, so that Iam none the worse. But, in truth, I am glad I came, for yesterdayevening I saw the czar himself. I conversed with him for some time.He expressed himself very courteously with respect to the king, andto our army, against whom he seems to bear no sort of malice forthe defeat we inflicted on him at Narva. He spoke of it himself,and said, 'you will see that, some day, we shall turn the tablesupon you.'

  "The king will be pleased when I return with you, for we all fearedthat you might be very badly hurt. All that we knew was that someof your men had seen you cut down. After the battle was over, asearch was made for your body. When it could not be found,questions were asked of some of our own men, and some woundedRussians, who were lying near the spot where you had been seen tofall.

  "Our men had seen nothing, for, as the Russians closed in behindyour company as it advanced, they had shut their eyes and lay as ifdead, fearing that they might be run through, as they lay, by theCossack lances. The Russians, however, told us that they had seentwo of the Cossacks dismount, by the orders of one of theirofficers, lift you on to a horse, and ride off with you. There wastheref
ore a certainty that you were still living, for the Russianswould assuredly not have troubled to carry off a dead body. Hismajesty interested himself very much in the matter, and yesterdaymorning sent me off to inquire if you were alive, and if so, topropose an exchange.

  "I was much pleased, when I reached Plescow yesterday, to learnthat your wound is not a serious one. I saw the doctor, who, Ifound, was a countryman of yours, and he assured me that it wasnothing, and made some joke that I did not understand about thethickness of North Country skulls.

  "The czar arrived in the afternoon, but I did not see him untillate in the evening, when I was sent for. I found him with thegeneral in command, and several other officers, among whom was yourfriend the doctor. The czar was, at first, in a furious passion. Heabused the general right and left, and I almost thought, at onetime, that he would have struck him. He told him that he haddisgraced the Russian name, by not treating you with properhospitality, and especially by placing you in a miserable cellwithout a fire.

  "'What will the King of Sweden think?' he said. 'He treats hisprisoners with kindness and courtesy, and after Narva gave them abanquet, at which he himself was present. The Duke of Croy writesto me, to say he is treated as an honoured guest rather than as aprisoner, and here you disgrace us by shutting your prisoner in acheerless cell, although he is wounded, and giving him food such asyou might give to a common soldier. The Swedes will think that weare barbarians. You are released from your command, and will atonce proceed to Moscow and report yourself there, when a post willbe assigned to you where you will have no opportunity of showingyourself ignorant of the laws of courtesy.

  "'Doctor,' he went on, 'you will remember that all prisoners,officers and men, will be henceforth under the charge of themedical department, and that you have full authority to make sucharrangements as you may think necessary for their comfort andhonourable treatment. I will not have Russia made a byword amongcivilized peoples.'

  "Then he dismissed the rest of them, and afterwards sat down andchatted with me, just as if we had been of the same rank, puffing apipe furiously, and drinking amazing quantities of wine. Indeed, myhead feels the effects of it this morning, although I was quiteunable to drink cup for cup with him, for, had I done so, I shouldhave been under the table long before he rose from it, seeminglyquite unmoved by the quantity he had drank. I have no doubt hesummoned me especially to hear his rebuke to the general, so that Icould take word to the king how earnest he was, in his regrets foryour treatment."

  "There was nothing much to complain of," Charlie said; "and,indeed, the cell was a palace after the miserable huts in which wehave passed the winter. I am glad, however, the czar gave thegeneral a wigging, for he spoke brutally to me on my arrival. Youmay be sure, now, that any prisoners that may be taken will be welltreated; for Doctor Kelly, who has been extremely kind to me, willcertainly take good care of them. As to my wound, it is of littleconsequence. It fell on my steel cap, and I think I was stunned byits force, rather than rendered insensible by the cut itself."

  After three hours' riding they came to a village. As soon as theywere seen approaching, there was a stir there. A man riding aheadwaved the white flag that he carried, and, when they entered thevillage, they found a party of fifty Swedish cavalry in the saddle.

  The Russian escort, as soon as the Swedish officer and Charlie hadjoined their friends, turned and rode off. A meal was in readiness,and when Charlie, who was still feeling somewhat weak from theeffects of his wound, had partaken of it, the party proceeded ontheir way, and rode into Marienburg before nightfall.

  Two or three miles outside the town, they met Harry Jervoise. Twosoldiers had been sent on at full speed, directly Charlie reachedthe village, to report that he had arrived there and was notseriously wounded, and, knowing about the time they would arrive,Harry had ridden out to meet his friend.

  "You are looking white," he said, after the first hearty greeting.

  "I am feeling desperately tired, Harry. The wound is of noconsequence, but I lost a good deal of blood, and it is as much asI can do to keep my saddle, though we have been coming on quietlyon purpose. However, I shall soon be all right again, and I needhardly say that I am heartily glad to be back."

  "We have all been in a great way about you, Charlie, for we madesure that you were very badly wounded. I can tell you, it was arelief when the men rode in three hours ago, with the news that youhad arrived, and were not badly hurt. The men seemed as pleased aswe were, and there was a loud burst of cheering when we told themthe news. Cunningham and Forbes would have ridden out with me; butCunningham is on duty, and Forbes thought that we should like tohave a chat together."

  On his arrival, Charlie was heartily welcomed by Captain Jervoiseand the men of the company, who cheered lustily as he rode up.

  "You are to go and see the king at once," Captain Jervoise said ashe dismounted. "I believe he wants to hear, especially, how youwere treated. Make the best of it you can, lad. There is nooccasion for the feeling of Charles against the Russians beingembittered."

  "I understand," Charlie said. "I will make things as smooth as Ican."

  He walked quickly to the little house where the king had taken uphis quarters. There was no sentry at the door, or other sign thatthe house contained an occupant of special rank. He knocked at thedoor, and hearing a shout of "Enter," opened it and went in.

  "Ah, my young ensign; is it you?" the king said, rising from a lowsettle on which he was sitting by the fire, talking with ColonelSchlippenbach.

  "Hurt somewhat, I see, but not badly, I hope. I was sure that youwould not have been taken prisoner, unless you had been injured."

  "I was cut down by a blow that clove my helmet, your majesty, andstunned me for some time; but, beyond making a somewhat long gashon my skull, it did me no great harm."

  "That speaks well for the thickness of your skull, lad, and I amheartily glad it is no worse. Now, tell me, how did they treatyou?"

  "It was a somewhat rough cell into which I was thrown, sir, but Iwas most kindly tended by an Irish doctor high in the czar'sservice, and, when the czar himself arrived, and learned that I hadnot been lodged as well as he thought necessary, I hear he was soangered that he disgraced the general, deprived him of his command,and sent him to take charge of some fortress in the interior ofRussia; and I was, by his orders, allowed to occupy the doctor'squarters, and a bedroom was assigned to me next to his. I heardthat the czar spoke in terms of the warmest appreciation of yourtreatment of your prisoners, and said that any of your officers whofell into his hands should be treated with equal courtesy."

  Charles looked gratified.

  "I am glad to hear it," he said. "In the field, if necessary, bloodmust flow like water, but there is no reason why we should notbehave towards each other with courtesy, when the fighting is over.You know nothing of the force there, at present?"

  "No, sir, I heard nothing. I did not exchange a word with anyone,save the doctor and another medical man; and as the former treatedme as a friend, rather than as an enemy, I did not deem it right toquestion him, and, had I done so, I am sure that he would havegiven me no answer."

  "Well, you can return to your quarters, sir. Your company did megood service in that fight, and Colonel Schlippenbach did not speakin any way too warmly in their favour. I would that I had more ofthese brave Englishmen and Scotchmen in my service."

  Charlie's head, however, was not as hard as he had believed it tobe; and the long ride brought on inflammation of the wound, sothat, on the following morning, he was in a high state of fever. Itwas a fortnight before he was convalescent, and the surgeon thenrecommended that he should have rest and quiet for a time, as hewas sorely pulled down, and unfit to bear the hardships of acampaign; and it was settled that he should go down with the nextconvoy to Revel, and thence take ship for Sweden.

  He was so weak, that although very sorry to leave the army just asspring was commencing, he himself felt that he should be unable tosupport the fatigues of the campaign, until he had had enti
re restand change. A few hours after the decision of the surgeon had beengiven, Major Jamieson and Captain Jervoise entered the room wherehe was sitting, propped up by pillows.

  "I have a bit of news that will please you, Charlie. The king sentfor the major this morning, and told him that he intended toincrease our company to a regiment, if he could do so. He had heardthat a considerable number of Scotchmen and Englishmen had comeover, and were desirous of enlisting, but, from their ignorance ofthe language, their services had been declined. He said that he wasso pleased, not only with the conduct of the company in that fight,but with its discipline, physique, and power of endurance, that hehad decided to convert it into a regiment. He said he was sorry tolose its services for a time; but, as we lost twenty men in thefight, and have some fifteen still too disabled to take theirplaces in the ranks, this was of the less importance.

  "So we are all going to march down to Revel with you. MajorJamieson is appointed colonel, and I am promoted to be major. Theking himself directed that Cunningham and Forbes shall havecommissions as captains, and you and Harry as lieutenants. Thecolonel has authority given him to nominate Scotch and Englishgentlemen of good name to make up the quota of officers, while mostof our own men will be appointed non-commissioned officers, todrill the new recruits. The king has been good enough, at ColonelJamieson's request, to say that, as soon as the regiment is raisedand organized, it shall be sent up to the front."

  "That is good news, indeed," Charlie said, with more animation thanhe had evinced since his illness. "I have been so accustomed to beattended to, in every way, that I was quite looking forward withdread to the journey among strangers. Still, if you are all going,it will be a different thing altogether. I don't think you will belong in raising the regiment. We only were a week in getting thecompany together, and, if they have been refusing to accept theservices of our people, there must be numbers of them atGottenburg."

  Early on the following morning, Charlie and the men unable to marchwere placed in waggons, and the company started on its march toRevel. It was a heavy journey, for the frost had broken up, and theroads were in a terrible state from the heavy traffic passing.There was no delay when they reached the port, as they at oncemarched on board a ship, which was the next day to start forSweden. Orders from the king had already been received that thecompany was to be conveyed direct to Gottenburg, and they enteredthe port on the fifth day after sailing.

  The change, the sea air, and the prospect of seeing his fatheragain greatly benefited Charlie, and, while the company was marchedto a large building assigned to their use, he was able to make hisway on foot to his father's, assisted by his soldier servant, JockArmstrong.

  "Why, Charlie," Sir Marmaduke Carstairs exclaimed as he entered,"who would have thought of seeing you? You are looking ill, lad;ill and weak. What has happened to you?"

  Charlie briefly related the events that had brought about hisreturn to Gottenburg, of which Sir Marmaduke was entirely ignorant.Postal communications were rare and uncertain, and Captain Jervoisehad not taken advantage of the one opportunity that offered, afterCharlie had been wounded, thinking it better to delay till the ladcould write and give a good account of himself.

  "So Jervoise, and his son, and that good fellow Jamieson are allback again? That is good news, Charlie; and you have been promoted?That is capital too, after only a year in the service. And you havebeen wounded, and a prisoner among the Russians? You have hadadventures, indeed! I was terribly uneasy when the first news ofthat wonderful victory at Narva came, for we generally have to waitfor the arrival of the despatches giving the lists of the killedand wounded. I saw that the regiment had not been in the thick ofit, as the lists contained none of your names. I would have given alimb to have taken part in that wonderful battle. When you get asold as I am, my boy, you will feel a pride in telling how youfought at Narva, and helped to destroy an entire Russian army withthe odds ten to one against you.

  "Of course, you will stay here with me. I suppose you have leave atpresent?"

  "Yes, father, Colonel Jamieson told me that my first duty was toget strong and well again, and that I was to think of no otheruntil I had performed that. And how have you been getting on,father?"

  "Very well, lad. I don't pretend that it is not a great change fromLynnwood, but I get along very well, and thank heaven, daily, thatfor so many years I had set aside a portion of my rents, littlethinking that the time would come when they would prove my means ofexistence. My friends here have invested the money for me, and itbears good interest, which is punctually paid. With the English andScotch exiles, I have as much society as I care for, and as I findI am able to keep a horse--for living here is not more than halfthe cost that it would be in England--I am well enough contentedwith my lot.

  "There is but one thing that pricks me. That villain John Dormayhas, as he schemed for, obtained possession of my estates, and hasbeen knighted for his distinguished services to the king. I heardof this some time since, by a letter from one of our Jacobitefriends to whom I wrote, asking for news. He says that the newknight has no great cause for enjoyment in his dignity andpossessions, because, not only do the Jacobite gentry turn theirbacks upon him, when they meet him in the town, but the betterclass of Whigs hold altogether aloof from him, regarding hiselevation, at the expense of his wife's kinsman, to be disgraceful,although of course they have no idea of the evil plot by which hebrought about my ruin. There is great pity expressed for his wife,who has not once stirred beyond the grounds at Lynnwood since hetook her there, and who is, they say, a shadow of her former self.Ciceley, he hears, is well. That cub of a son is in London, andthere are reports that he is very wild, and puts his father to muchcost. As to the man himself, they say he is surrounded by thelowest knaves, and it is rumoured that he has taken to drink forwant of better company. It is some comfort to me to think that,although the villain has my estates, he is getting no enjoyment outof them.

  "However, I hope some day to have a reckoning with him. The Stuartsmust come to their own, sooner or later. Until then I am content torest quietly here in Sweden."