“Why, there is naught to forgive,” said Charles gently. “I but ask that you’ll not think evil of me.”
“I could not, Sir! I—I—” Clifford kissed his hand again. “I spoke in heat.”
“Then that is very well,” smiled Charles. He watched him leave the room, smiling.
“M. Colbert—speaks you very fair, Sir,” said James.
Charles regarded him thoughtfully, his eyes alight with laughter. He shifted the dog under his arm.
“Damned plausible, a’n’t he?” he chuckled, and walked slowly back to his seat.
The Duke watched him uneasily. Roxhythe continued to play with his gloves.
“You don’t believe in the French King’s offer, Sir?” asked James abruptly.
“I want to know what lies behind.”
“You heard M. Colbert.”
“I heard a deal of smooth talk.”
James sighed.
“You don’t trust Louis, Sir?”
“Do you?” riposted the King.
James stared down at his hand lying clenched on the table.
“I trust very few people, Sir. I want no French yoke about our necks. But is this a yoke?”
“Louis would wish it to be without a doubt,” replied the King. “The question is: can I circumvent him?”
“Yes.” It was Roxhythe who spoke. “Louis cannot afford to offend you, Sir.”
“If it comes to that, I cannot well afford to offend Louis,” remarked the King.
“Better than can he, Sir. At all costs he must have England, if not at his side, at least not against him. England turns the scale.”
“That is so,” agreed James. “If Louis plans more wars on the Continent he must be assured of England’s help. And there is the cause. For that the alliance is all-important.”
Charles became exasperated.
“James, I am thinking of the Cause, as you call it. What matters it to us if England is Catholic or no? It is a secondary consideration. I am thinking how I may profit by the alliance and yet prevent Louis making of me a catspaw.”
“Then, Sir, we are privy to this thing from different motives! I wonder that you weigh your own petty advantages before the great Cause! I am privy to the bond only for the good it may do the country! With France at our back we may successfully drive the Faith into the country. It seems that you are privy to the thing for the pecuniary good it may do you!”
Charles nodded amiably. His brother’s outbursts never had the slightest effect on his good-humour.
“Quite right, Jamie. And if I am not like to profit overmuch I’ll have naught to do with an alliance that bids fair to be a plaguey nuisance.”
Roxhythe laid his hat on the table. Charles glanced affectionately in his direction.
“And that brings us to Roxhythe his share in the business. Davy, I have had but one word with you since you returned from Paris. Tell us exactly what you ascertained.”
The Duke leaned back in his chair, scowling. He never liked Roxhythe.
“There is not much to tell, Sir. As yet the scheme is in embryo. Madame d’Orléans is very secret.”
“I wonder if I did right to negotiate through her?” said the King. “But I could trust Holles.”
“You did quite right, Sir. Madame is to be trusted. At present she is vague—partly because Louis is vague. We must walk carefully. It has been made clear to me that Louis wants to hold England at his beck and call. The offer of aid to you is a bribe, of course. If he fails to snare you he will try to bribe the more corruptible members of the House. At all costs he must have England to back him in his wars on Holland. Roughly speaking what he wants is this: to have England aid him in these wars, and to have England uphold him in his right to any new titles that may fall to him.”
“I had guessed the Spanish business to be in his mind,” said Charles. “That will not harm me. War with the Dutch? H’m! Does he know my people’s temper, I wonder?”
“I think he has great faith in Your Majesty’s adroitness. He stipulates too that the Catholic Faith shall be propagated in England. But remember, Sir, war on Holland is his first thought!”
“Is it?” said Charles cheerfully. “I do not think it is mine, though.”
James lifted his eyes.
“The Promotion of the Faith is the first matter to be attended to,” he said.
Charles pursed his lips.
“I might stipulate for that, Davy. I should gain time.”
“You might, Sir.”
“You must!” corrected James sharply. “It serves a double purpose. If you successfully drive the Faith in you make your position the more secure, and you know that you have done your duty as a Catholic.”
“Very comforting,” said Charles. “The first purpose appeals to me more. There is another thing, Roxhythe.”
“What is that, Sir?”
“If Louis subdues the Provinces I want provision made for my nephew.”
James stared at him.
“Why?”
Charles did not look at him.
“You understand, Roxhythe?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“But why?” persisted James.
“Another double purpose, Jamie. Because I pledged my word to his mother to protect his interests.”
“You’ve not done much to protect them during all these years!”
Charles spoke with quiet majesty.
“I have done all that was in my power to do.”
“Beyond protesting to De Witt—”
“I could do naught. Nor was it necessary. The Prince has been well cared for, and he was but a child. Now it is different.
“Evidently!” said James. “But where is your double purpose?”
The King’s eyes met Roxhythe’s.
“I believe it were politic to placate my nephew. I desire to stand well with him.”
James pulled at his lip.
“A mere child. Why?”
“Because I think that he will one day become a power not lightly to be overlooked. Are you satisfied?”
James was silent.
“And now, Roxhythe, it is for you to determine the price. Louis refused the two million.”
“Two million?” exclaimed James. “What folly!” He rose. “With your leave, Sir, I’ll withdraw. You will best arrange this alone!”
“Very well,” said Charles. He watched him go out. “Roxhythe, you must discover my sister’s attitude in the matter.”
“I believe that Madame is fair-minded, Sir.”
“What mean you by that?”
“That she will favour neither side. If it were possible she would strive for you. As it is she holds herself neutral. She is
