Clifford met his reproachful look, and stammered hopelessly.
“His Majesty knows—that I—that you—that I meant no offence—by what I said. Perhaps—that is, of course, I spoke heatedly. I would not accuse King Louis—of—of descending to—bribery. I could not think that His Majesty—” he cast a flurried glance at Charles, “—would countenance a—a bribe. I—I but said it savoured of that, as—as I think it does, sir!”
“It is for that reason that the matter should be kept secret, Sir Thomas. I confess, if I had thought you would take this tone I had not mentioned the matter to you. Knowing you to be an upright man, I had hardly expected you to impute dishonourable motives to others.”
Sir Thomas collapsed.
“Sir, you misunderstand me! I—I meant no rudeness to His Majesty! I—” he floundered hopelessly and stopped.
M. Colbert wiped his lips with a delicately laced handkerchief.
“I am much relieved to hear you say so, Sir Thomas. May I now go on to my next point?”
The Duke nodded shortly.
“It is this: His Majesty is fully alive to the fact that there are in your English Cabinet many honest gentlemen who are yet very stubborn and narrow. They, like many other ignorant people, are averse from dealing with France. They are Protestants, messieurs. They may be drawn to the right way of looking at a French alliance, but at present they will not listen to reason. Once it was proved to them that France desired nothing but friendship from England, their objections would fade. They would see that an alliance with France was for their country’s good. In holding away from it they, all unwittingly, work great harm on England. They cannot be brought round at present, but is it to be permitted that they should do England this great wrong? They have proved stubborn; they have showed that they will not listen to argument. Shall they not then be ignored? They would raise an outcry; they would prevail upon the ignorance of the people; they would prevent an alliance. Then they must know naught until the thing is done, when they will soon see that it is not a great evil, but a great good.”
“You mean a secret treaty?” asked Clifford blankly.
“Secret only for the moment,” promptly replied Colbert. “Think on what I have said, monsieur, and tell me if this great thing for England is to be quenched by a party of dogged Protestants.”
“I do see the truth in what you say, sir, but there are many points against it.”
“Will you not name them, Sir Thomas?”
“The first and foremost of them is this, sir: what you propose is no less than a violation of the Triple Alliance, whereby we bound ourselves to stand by Holland against France if need be. Your proposal is a treaty with an enemy country made behind the backs of the rest of the Cabinet. It likes me not.”
“It is true that we ignore these ignorant gentlemen. But have I not proved to you that it is for England’s good? Do you value these gentlemen’s feelings above your country?”
“Not I, sir. But I had sooner that they were made cognizant of the affair.”
“So they might hold lengthy debates, raise an outcry, and howl it down? You must see that it is impossible. They will realize afterwards that it is for their country’s good.”
Clifford spoke sarcastically now.
“Not if you seek to force Catholicism down their throats, sir.”
James frowned, biting his lip. Colbert waved his hand expressively.
“You do not credit my master with much perspicacity if you do not realize that he has foreseen that, Sir Thomas. He is not an impetuous man. He sees that the introduction—rather, I should say, the furtherance—of Catholicism in England must be brought about slowly, and with great care. He has no mind to raise a hubbub. He has no mind to ‘force’ the Faith into England. He even sees that it cannot be as yet. He is content to wait until King Charles calls to him. If King Charles finds it not necessary to call, he will be the more thankful. He wants not to interfere in another man’s country. Very earnestly does he counsel King Charles not to hasten this great work to its undoing. The time is not yet.”
James stirred restlessly, and seemed about to speak. Then he checked himself.
After a short pause Colbert continued.
“I would not ask you to give a hasty decision, Sir Thomas. I ask you to think over all I have said before you speak.”
“I shall most certainly do so,” said Clifford. “I cannot but see that there are great points in favour of this plan, but, as I have told you, there are points which like me not. But I will think on it. Is there—anything further?”
“At present, nothing, sir.”
“Then … ?” Sir Thomas looked hesitatingly at the King. “Have I Your Majesty’s leave to withdraw?” He rose as he spoke. So did Colbert. So also did Charles and Roxhythe.
“I too,” said the Frenchman.
Charles nodded. He spoke for the first time since the beginning of the interview.
“We have to thank you, M. Colbert, for your patience. We will speak on this more fully later on. We will not keep you.”
Colbert bowed over his hand and went out.
Charles turned to Clifford. His wonderful smile dawned.
“You will think me seriously on this, Sir Thomas? And you’ll not believe ill of your poor King?”
“Sire!” Clifford caught his hand, kissing it. “I crave Your Majesty’s pardon again and
