by Alexandre Dumas

“ Have you studied our Scotch troops and have you confidence in them?"
"The Scotch?" inquired Winter. "What Scotch?"
"Ours, egad!" exclaimed Athos. "Those in whom the king has confided - Lord Leven's Highlanders."
"No," said Winter, then he paused; "but tell me, can you not perceive the russet tint which marks the heavens?"
"Not the least in the world," said Aramis and Athos at once. ”

“ The king raised himself, buckled on his belt, and passing his handkerchief over his moist forehead, said:
"Well, what is to be done?"
"Sire, have you in the army one regiment on which you can implicitly rely?"
"Winter," said the king, "do you believe in the fidelity of yours?"
"Sire, they are but men, and men are become both weak and wicked. I will not answer for them. I would confide my life to them, but I should hesitate ere I trusted them with your majesty's."
"Well!" said Athos, "since you have not a regiment, we are three devoted men. It is enough. ”

“ The Scotch chieftains looked at each other in their turn with frowning brows.
"Sire," murmured Lord Leven, crushed by shame, "sire, we are ready to give you every proof of our fidelity."
"I ask but one," said the king; "put the army in battle array and face the enemy." ”