in the hands of a Frenchman as be assigned to the powerful
Emperor. It would have been absurd, in short, for England to go on
fighting for Charles.

The famous treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, brought the war to an end. By
this treaty several important matters were settled. Philip retained
Spain, but gave up for ever his claim to the throne of France. Louis
acknowledged the Hanoverian succession, and gave back to the Dutch the
line of "barrier fortresses" about which so much blood had been shed.
France gave up to Britain Newfoundland and some other possessions in
North America, and Spain resigned Gibraltar and Minorca. The Emperor
received Milan, Sardinia, and Naples. The rest of the Allies received
little or nothing, and loud was the outcry they raised.

George Fairburn did not remain abroad till the conclusion of peace.
During the year 1710, at a time when things were at a standstill in
the Netherlands, he received word that his father had been killed in
an accident at the pit. With a heavy heart he sought permission to
return home for a period, and in pursuing his application he found
himself in the presence of the great commander-in-chief himself. To
his delight Marlborough recognized him at once. The Duke was full of
sympathy, and not only readily granted the young captain any
reasonable leave of absence he might desire, but held out his hand
with a smile, as he dismissed him: "Major Fairburn, you go with my
sympathy and my regard. I have few young fellows under me of whom I
think more highly." And in spite of his terrible bereavement the
newly-promoted officer left his master's presence with a swelling
heart.

With him travelled home Matthew Blackett, whose release George, to his
delight, had managed, though with difficulty. The gallant Sergeant
Oborne had also been exchanged for an English prisoner in French
hands. An additional pleasure to both George and Matthew was an
intimation that Matthew, too, had been raised to the rank of major in
recognition of his excellent service throughout the war. As it proved,
neither officer ever served under Marlborough again.

The months flew by. Mr. Fairburn was found to have left a far larger
fortune than the world had dreamt of, the sum amounting to fully fifty
thousand pounds. George and his ageing mother were rich. Matthew
Blackett had taken to the management of the joint collieries, strange
to say, and was preparing to leave the army as soon as he could do so
conveniently