in May, and by October
his gloomy forebodings regarding the king were being verified. During
the autumn William of Orange had been preparing to invade England, and
it was freely said he would come on the invitation of the English
people and as the champion of English liberty. From the beginning of
the crisis James was badly advised, and showed neither nerve nor
discernment, and among other foolish measures was the withdrawal of
the regular troops from Scotland and their concentration at London.
From London James made a feeble campaign in the direction of the west,
and Claverhouse, who was in command of the Scots Cavalry, and whose
mind was torn between contempt for the feebleness of the military
measures and impatience to be at the enemy, wrote to Jean, sending
her, as it seemed to be his lot, mixed news of honor and despair.

_For the fair hands of the Viscountess of Dundee, and Lady Graham
of Claverhouse._

MY DEAREST LADY: If I have to send ye evil tidings concerning the
affairs of the king, which can hardly be worse, let me first
acquaint you with the honor His Majesty has bestowed upon me, and
which I count the more precious because it bringeth honor to her
who is dearer to me than life, and who has suffered much trouble
through me. Hitherto our marriage has meant suffering of many
kinds for my Sweetheart, though I am fain to believe there has
been more consolation in our love, but now it is charged with the
King's favor and high dignity in the State. Whatever it be worth
for you and me, and however long or short I be left to enjoy it, I
have been made a Peer of Scotland by the titles written above, and
what I like best in the matter, is that the peerage has been
given--so it runs, and no doubt a woman loves to read such things
of her man--for "Many good and eminent services rendered to His
Majesty, and his dearest Royal brother, King Charles II, by his
right trusty and well-beloved Councilor, Major-General John Graham
of Claverhouse; together with his constant loyalty and firm
adherence upon all occasions to the true interests of the crown."
Whatever befalls me it pleases me that the king knows I have been
loyal and that he is grateful for one faithful servant. So I kiss
the hand of my Lady Viscountess and were I at Dudhope I might
venture upon her lips, aye, more than once.

When I leave myself and come unto the King I have nothing to tell
but what fills me