M. Colbert de Croissy was the French ambassador, brother to the great Colbert, Minister of Finance in France.
Roxhythe was amused.
“It should be interesting to hear what he says,” he remarked.
“So I think. Roxhythe, I have seen that Clifford may be won over.”
“Our incorruptible Chancellor!” said Roxhythe. “Well, well!”
“Not at all. He hath great faith in mine integrity. From what he said I gather that Colbert means to put the matter very plausibly. Arlington is, of course, my man; Arundell also. I propose to summon Clifford to my chamber next week when I shall also receive M. Colbert. Then we shall see how the matter strikes Clifford.”
Roxhythe nodded.
“And what of His Grace of York, Sir?”
“James is mad for the promotion of the Catholic faith in the country. All else will fade before that.”
“It seems very well,” said Roxhythe. He sighed.
Charles heard the sigh.
“You do not like it, Roxhythe?”
There was a pause.
“No, Sir, I do not.”
“You do not like that I should make an alliance with France?”
“I would it might have been otherwise.”
“But it cannot be otherwise,” fretted the King.
“No, Sir?”
“You know it cannot! I tried to avoid it by an alliance with Nassau, but he’d have none of it. What else can I do? I must have means or I shall be entirely dependent on Parliament. I am sore beset! And now if you turn against me—”
“I shall never do that, Sir.” The answer came quietly, but very emphatically. “If you want a compact with France you must have it. It matters nothing to me. Only one thing do I consider and that is your pleasure.”
Charles put out his hand.
“Ah, David! And yet you dislike it?”
“I dislike it—yes.”
“Because you think I am planning to sell England to Louis?”
His smile crept into Roxhythe’s eyes.
“Now you are ridiculous, Sir.”
Charles’ hand gripped his.
“You believe in me?”
“I believe that you will contrive to outwit Louis.”
“That is evasive. You think I am not acting for England?”
“I know you are not.”
Charles laughed.
“I suppose you are right. But I do not think I shall harm her.”
“Nor I, Sir. And I do not think you will do her any good.”
Charles looked at him curiously.
“Roxhythe—you care for England?”
“I used to, Sir.”
“And now?”
“Nothing counts save your pleasure. I stand or fall with you.”
Brown eyes met brown.
“And naught else counts … not even the Country?” said Charles slowly.
Roxhythe carried the hand that lay in his to his lips.
“Since your ways diverge, Sir, no.”
II
The Offer
James, Duke of York, sat at the table drumming on it with restless fingers. Charles, the King, lolled as usual on the window-seat, playing with one of his spaniels. Sir Thomas Clifford, Chancellor, sat stiffly by the fire and looked ill-at-ease, which indeed he was. There was silence save for the yapping of the spaniel.
Presently the Duke pushed back his chair.
“Will the man never come?” he said.
Charles did not raise his eyes. Sir Thomas glanced at the clock.
“It—it wants ten minutes to the hour, sir,” he said propitiatingly.
James shrugged impatiently. He looked over at his brother. The spaniel’s yapping jarred on him.
“Is Lord Roxhythe not expected until three, Sir?” he asked.
“No,” answered the King.
“Would it not have been better to have seen him before M. Colbert?” James did not conceal his impatience well.
“Wherefore?”
Charles yawned.
Quick footsteps came along the passage.
“Perhaps this is he?” hazarded Clifford.
“My Lord Roxhythe never hurries,” sneered James. “This is M. Colbert.”
The French ambassador entered, and cast a swift glance round the room. He swept a bow to the King.
“Sire!” He turned. “Altesse!” He turned again. “Sir Thomas!”
Charles nodded easily.
“Pray sit down, monsieur. We are delighted to see you.”
James rose jerkily and went forward.
“You are very punctual, M. Colbert. Will you take this chair? We still lack Lord Roxhythe.”
“It still wants three minutes to the hour, sir,” remarked Clifford.
“No doubt ye have heard from His French Majesty?” asked James, ignoring the interruption.
Colbert bowed.
“A plaguey damp day, eh, monsieur?” drawled the King.
The Frenchman’s dark eyes twinkled.
“As Your Majesty says,” he agreed.
“You don’t have such weather in your country,” went on Charles. “ ’Tis a fortunate land.”
The Duke shut his eyes, exasperated. Charles glanced at the clock.
“The hour,” he said. “And—I think—Roxhythe.”
The three other men turned to look at the door.
It opened. Mr. Chiffinch, the King’s confidential page, announced my Lord Roxhythe and my lord came in unhurriedly.
His chestnut wig was nicely curled, and hung down over his shoulders; his dress was carefully chosen. In one hand he carried his hat; in the other, his comfit-box and cane. His calm, rather ironic eyes travelled slowly round the room, and came to rest on the King. He made a very low bow. Then he made another which included all the room.
The Duke of York’s brows drew closer together.
“Davy,” sighed the King. “You are punctuality personified! How a-God’s name, do you manage it?”
“I really don’t know, Sir,” said Roxhythe. “I believe it must be a habit.”
“A vice,” answered Charles, mournfully. “One which I do not possess. I think you know M. Colbert?”
“I have that honour,” bowed Roxhythe.
“Then I need present nobody,” said the King. “How very fortunate! Oh, sit down, Davy! sit down!” He waved him to a chair.
Roxhythe sat down and crossed one leg over the other. He looked expectant.
Charles sighed.
“Proceed, gentlemen,” he counselled them, stroking his dog’s head.
“Do you wish me to—conduct the conversation, Sir?” asked James bluntly.
“Pray do!” begged the King.
James turned to the Frenchman.
“M. Colbert, you advised His Majesty some time since that you had certain propositions to lay before him, coming from King Louis. For the sake of these other gentlemen, will you be good enough to repeat them?” He sat back in his chair, his eyes keen and alert.
M. Colbert twisted one of his rings round.
“But certainly, m’sieu’. It comes to my master’s ears that King Charles was not quite at one with his Cabinet over the Dutch Alliance. He is relieved, naturellement, for he has always been King Charles’ very good friend and cousin. He feared once that the alliance might lead to war between
