Sir Philip readily assented to a proposition which saved expense,
silenced the foolish people who might have talked of a deserted
wife and family, and gratified Lady Bothwell, for whom he felt
some respect, as for one who often spoke to him, always with
freedom and sometimes with severity, without being deterred
either by his raillery or the PRESTIGE of his reputation.

A day or two before Sir Philip's departure, Lady Bothwell took
the liberty of asking him, in her sister's presence, the direct
question, which his timid wife had often desired, but never
ventured, to put to him:--

"Pray, Sir Philip, what route do you take when you reach the
Continent?"

"I go from Leith to Helvoet by a packet with advices."

"That I comprehend perfectly," said Lady Bothwell dryly; "but you
do not mean to remain long at Helvoet, I presume, and I should
like to know what is your next object."

"You ask me, my dear lady," answered Sir Philip, "a question
which I have not dared to ask myself. The answer depends on the
fate of war. I shall, of course, go to headquarters, wherever
they may happen to be for the time; deliver my letters of
introduction; learn as much of the noble art of war as may
suffice a poor interloping amateur; and then take a glance at the
sort of thing of which we read so much in the Gazette."

"And I trust, Sir Philip," said Lady Bothwell, "that you will