“Then I’ll tell you how much I love you.”
“And that I must not hear!”
“You shall feel it, sweetheart.”
“You are very wicked, you know,” she said, gravely.
“You would not like me else, dear.”
“Should I not? Do you think women are like that?”
“Women, child, are the most incomprehensible, mad, divine creatures on this earth. Come with me, and I’ll tell you how wonderful one woman is.”
“I ought not to. And it is only a game.”
“Nothing is so alluring as the ‘ought not,’ beloved.”
“No. But should one give way to temptation?”
“Most certainly one should, for if one does not, it leaves the devil idle.”
“Surely he were best idle?”
“Not at all. If he is idle, he rests for a while, devising fresh temptations which are more seductive than the last.”
“You are dreadfully wicked!” nodded Millicent. She went out with him.
Two days later Roxhythe left for Paris, to carry on the negotiations between the King of England and an enemy country. Millicent, jealous of an unknown rival, shed bitter tears.
VI
The Price
Before Roxhythe went again to Paris he craved and was granted an interview with the King. The Duke of York was present, and from his uneasy bearing and his black looks, Roxhythe guessed that he was assailed by one of the qualmish fits to which he had of late become subject. He sat by the fireplace, staring moodily into the flames. He barely acknowledged my lord’s bow.
The King welcomed his favourite cheerily.
“Well, my David? Ye have fresh news for me?”
Roxhythe kissed his hand.
“I have, Sir. I wished to acquaint you with it before I returned to France, so I begged this audience.”
Charles nodded.
“Do matters progress at last?”
“Very fairly, Sir. Yet I think you must not hope for a conclusion this year.”
“Mort de ma vie! How much longer am I to wait? It is December now and we have been negotiating for over a year!”
“If you would give way to Louis’ demands you might conclude the affair at once.”
“I’ll not give way! Surely you do not advise that?”
“By no means, Sir. I counsel you to wait. I think that it will end in the spring if not before.”
“I suppose I must be patient then. But have you discovered the price?”
Roxhythe watched the Duke move angrily and scowl.
“Madame is ever vague. Evidently Louis is wishful of seeing how much he need offer.”
“Ay, he’s closefisted. What says my sister?”
“She’s hinted at sixty thousand pounds yearly, Sir.”
“And you?”
“I? Oh, I waved it aside, Sir! I told her that if the King of England was to be bought his price was high.”
James flushed and stirred again. The King laughed.
“Incomparable Roxhythe! What said she to that?”
“Why she affected finality, Sir. Louis hopes that you will give way.”
Charles played with one of his thick curls. He was frowning slightly.
“Roxhythe, you walk round and round the point. How much can I with safety demand?”
My lord studied his polished fingernails. For a moment he did not speak; the King’s frown was reflected on his face.
“In all, Sir, two hundred thousand,” he said at last. He spoke with deliberation.
The Duke straightened in his chair.
“It is ridiculous!” he rasped. “Two hundred thousand! You must be mad, my lord!”
Roxhythe said nothing. Charles who had been fondling one of his dogs put it down. He was all attention.
“You think that, Davy?”
“I know it, Sir.”
“How?”
Roxhythe twisted one of his rings round.
“Madame hath a great regard for you, Sir. She does not wholly play into King Louis’ hands. She remembers that if she is Louis his sister-in-law, she is also your sister.”
“Oh. You said once, Roxhythe, that if it were possible she would play into my hands rather than Louis’.”
“I said also, Sir, that she was a very wise intermediary. I still say so. It is impossible for her to take your part openly, but she can still help.”
“She told you that Louis would go to that figure?”
“N-no. Madame would not be so incautious. She is a very Queen of intriguers. Rather—she gave me that impression.”
“You are quick to take impressions, Lord Roxhythe!” sneered the Duke.
Charles ignored him.
“You are sure of this, David?”
My lord shrugged.
“I am never sure, Sir.”
This seemed to satisfy the King. He sat with his chin in his hand, thinking.
“Louis would never pay me such a sum without a struggle,” he mused. “If I stand too firm, I may lose all. …”
“No,” said Roxhythe.
“—Yet, as you so wisely remarked, if I am to be bought, my price is high.”
“My Lord Roxhythe speaks airily!” snapped James. “He cannot be certain of such facts. Louis will never go to that figure. Is it likely?”
Roxhythe’s calm eyes surveyed him.
“It is more than likely, sir.”
“It means a struggle, eh?” asked Charles.
“The thing is not worth having if you have not to fight for it, Sir.”
“A King does not haggle!” retorted James.
“I repeat, Sir, if you are to be bought it had best be for a fair price. If Louis wants an alliance with England, he must pay dearly for it.”
“Roxhythe is right,” agreed the King. “I believe in sucking the French King of all he can give.”
James brought his fist down on the table with some force.
“The whole business is degrading and un-Kinglike! I mislike secret negotiations. We show ourselves afraid of the Government by trafficking with France behind its back. Why not do the thing openly and Royally?”
“Why not leave the country at once?” shrugged Charles.
“Sir, you are over-timorous! The army is behind you. You have naught to fear.”
“No? Jamie, I had thought you wiser. Would you have more bloodshed in England? Would you put both our heads in danger?”
“I would have straight dealings, and the Faith at all costs.”
“You would not get it by foolhardiness. You would only ruin my popularity; jeopardize my crown.”
“Anything were better than this hole-and-corner treaty!”
Charles grimaced.
“Even exile? No, no Jamie! This is an easier way.”
“An underhand way! A timorous way!”
“Let us be honest, my dear. We are afraid of the Government, alack! It is too powerful. Therefore it must be tricked and turned
