The
unrivalled military skill which the Colonel would devote to the winning of
London was dwelt upon until even the Colonel, in no wise inclined to
under-estimate it, got restive, and snuffed and pshawed with great vigour.
I, of course, was the early, strong-winged swallow that announced the
flights of laggards behind.
There were some dozen chiefs of considerable position in the Prince's
army, and he tackled them one by one, and tried to argue them into his way
of thinking. Some he sent for to his lodging; others he visited in theirs
--a special but wasted mark of distinction. On the whole they would not
budge. They were courteous and respectful, for they were gentlemen, and he
was their Prince, but their minds were made up and they would not
surrender their wills to his. Mostly, in their talk, they simply chewed
over again the morning's cud.
Mr. Secretary went off as envoy to fetch the chiefs to Exeter House,
where the Prince received them in his little private chamber overlooking
the gardens. He would stand, silent and moody, glowering out of the
window, with the Colonel and me standing silent and thoughtful behind him.
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