Four days later, on board ship, Roxhythe broached a subject that had been weighing heavily on Christopher’s mind. He laid his hand on the young man’s shoulder, and spoke with some affection.
“Well, Chris, so the journey is at an end. In a few hours’ time we shall be in London. What then?”
Christopher looked at him.
“You will be no longer in need of a secretary, sir?”
“I? Oh, I must have a secretary, of course.”
Christopher became still more crestfallen.
“I—you—that is, you wish me to leave you now, sir?”
“No. But I think you would be wise to be counselled by that excellent brother of yours.”
“Oh, sir, never give him a thought!” cried Christopher. “If I might stay with you, I will serve you—unquestioningly.”
“Very well,” said Roxhythe. “You shall stay.”
IX
The King of England
Gorgeous in a pale-blue velvet suit with crimson facings and ribbons, and much rich lace, the Most Noble the Marquis of Roxhythe entered the doors of Whitehall. He carried his gloves and his cane in one hand and in the other he held his comfit box. The page at the door cast one glance at the handsome face beneath the wide brimmed hat with its drooping feather, and straightened in every line of his body.
Roxhythe’s slumbrous eyes travelled over him.
“His Majesty?” he said.
The page bowed.
“I think His Majesty is in his closet, sir. Shall I send Master Hutchins to announce you?”
“Do,” said Roxhythe.
An elegant gentleman crossed the hall towards him.
“I protest ’tis a joy to see you again, Roxhythe,” he simpered. “You had a fair crossing?”
“I believe I did,” assented my lord. “How doth her ladyship?”
“Very well, very well,” said the elegant gentleman. “His Majesty is all a-fret to see you. He will be delighted. He had not expected you so soon.”
On his way up the Grand Staircase, Roxhythe met some half a dozen gentlemen, who were all duly enthusiastic over his return. He reflected that his was something of a triumphal entry.
As he neared the King’s closet he spoke to the page beside him.
“Is His Majesty disengaged?”
“I think Lord Lauderdale is with him, my lord.”
“In that case you may announce me,” said Roxhythe.
“Yes, my lord. His Majesty gave orders that you were to be taken to him at once.” He knocked on the door of the closet.
Charles’ voice bade him enter. It held a peevish note.
The page opened wide the door.
“The Most Noble the Marquis of Roxhythe!”
Hat in hand Roxhythe walked into the room.
Charles was seated at the table, opposite Lord Lauderdale, but at the favourite’s entrance, he pushed back his chair and rose quickly to his feet.
“David! Already!” He embraced Roxhythe before my lord had time to make his bow. He held him by the shoulders, scanning his face.
“Zoons, Davy! how I have waited for this moment!”
“Not so impatiently as have I, Sir.” Roxhythe smiled back into his eyes.
My Lord Lauderdale rose, a red spot on either cheek.
“I take it Your Majesty has no further use for me,” he grated.
“None whatsoever, my lord,” answered Charles gaily. “Some other time. …”
Lauderdale jerked a bow to him, and another to Roxhythe. He went angrily out of the room.
“A good riddance to his dourness,” said Charles. “Davy, Davy, I have missed you so sorely I swear I’ll never send you from me again!”
“I am glad you have missed me, Sir,” said Roxhythe. “So you may have some conception of my poor feelings. These weeks have seemed months!”
Charles drew him to a couch.
“I vow you have had the best of it, David. I have been harassed and overrun with petitions, and whatnot, and empty-headed dolts beside. You would not believe the number that have tried to take your place! But there is only one Roxhythe. How have you fared?”
Roxhythe grew solemn.
“Very badly, Sir.”
“What’s that? You have been in trouble?—danger?”
“Not I, Sir. ’Twas my errand that I spoke of.”
Charles showed surprise.
“Did you fail, David?”
“Ay, Sir. There was no hope for success.”
The King laughed a little ruefully.
“Well, well! And so you failed! Has such a thing ever before come to pass?”
“Seldom,” said his lordship. “But this time I was very grievously beaten.”
The King settled himself against the cushions.
“If ’twere not so damned annoying, ’twould be most diverting,” he said. “Tell me, David.”
Roxhythe proceeded to relate his adventures up to the point of Roderick’s appearance on the scene.
“I would Your Majesty could have seen that man!” he sighed. “He gave himself the airs of a duke, and he paraded his Puritan views for my edification. I do assure you, Sir; that I have never been so set at naught in my life. He spoke of the Prince as though he were Master of the Universe, and his whole manner was as formal as your father his courtiers never were. He came the second day with the news that the Prince would grant me an audience, as though ’twere some giant favour he were bestowing. I went to the Palace at eight in the evening—I should tell you, Sir, that I was requested to be punctual—and taken to Dart’s room. He led me out by another door, along countless gloomy vaults, each darker than the last, until we came to a hall. Then we met one of the Prince’s not so faithful gentlemen and I became a lackey, and was severely reprimanded. We shook off the man, and proceeded to the Prince’s apartments. Outside one of the doors was yet another man. He, though, was one of the Prince’s faithful ones. He sped us on our way. Dart ushered me into the room with all solemnity. Then he took my pistol from me. I suppose he thought I might assassinate His Highness in a fit of depression. At all events he took it, and left me to kick my heels, awaiting the Prince. And all as though I were in very sooth a lackey! I, Roxhythe, the King’s envoy!
“Then came William of Orange …” he paused.
Charles, who had been shaken with
