heir land
are well nigh ruined by the moneys they spent in the king's service, and
would gladly sell now could they obtain anything like a fair value for
their estates. I know of a score at least of such properties which are
so deeply mortgaged that the owners can scarce afford to live in their
own homes, and would gladly take a sum that would suffice to pay off the
mortgage and give them the wherewithal to live upon, either abroad or
in Virginia, to which colony many loyal gentlemen have already gone
to settle. If you will call tomorrow I will give you a list of such
estates, with their size, the amount of their revenues, and the price at
which their owners would, I know, be glad to sell, for I and some of my
friends have been approached by them with that view."

Hector spent the next three weeks in visiting eight of the estates that
seemed suitable and were all situated in counties near London. Finally
he settled upon one in Berkshire, which was of considerable size and
with a stately house in a fair position. This he purchased, and then,
returning to Plymouth, his marriage with Norah was celebrated there, and
he, with his wife and Madame de Blenfoix and his five followers, rode
down into Berkshire and took possession of the estate, with which all
were delighted. The troopers, instead of accepting the house he offered
them, preferred to remain in his service, and Paolo was installed as
majordomo of the household. Six months later MacIntosh and his two
comrades came over.

The former declined Hector's offer to take up his abode at the house.

"No, colonel, I have an abundance for myself and my two comrades, and
would rather be near you, where we can live in our own fashion, and give
trouble to no one."

"Well, if you will not come here, MacIntosh, there is a house a quarter
of a mile away which will, I think, suit you well. It is not a large
place, but is a comfortable one, and has been used as the house of the
steward of the estate. As I shall be my own steward it is vacant, and
will, I think, suit you well. It is furnished, so that you and your
comrades can move in when you like, though the longer you stay with us
the better we shall be pleased."

A fortnight later MacIntosh and his comrades moved in, and there,
when not occupied with their duties, one or other of the troopers was
generally to be found. Hector often dropped in, and one day laughingly
said that the house ought to be renamed The Scottish Soldier.