“None whatever,” said Roxhythe. He folded up the letters.
Christopher heaved a sigh of relief.
“I knew it!” he said. “But when next you go away I wish you would leave me some explanation to give these people!”
“You gave them the right one,” answered Roxhythe.
“Yes, but I did not know if it was right or wrong. I had to say something, and oh lud! the good advice I have received!” He laughed ruefully. “Everyone advises me to quit your service at once, and why God alone knows! I have been so infuriated, sir!”
“Poor Chris! You can quit my service if you will.”
“Sir! Have I shown myself so lacking in affection to you that you should think that possible? I do not want ever to do that. I—I am so relieved to know that you are not leading—well, a double life! Of course I did not really think it, but when several people all show suspicions one cannot help wondering. And then there was the Dutch affair. You plotted then, but it was for the King, and the King was plotting for the country, so it’s all one. You would never plot against the country, I know. I do not think, either, that you are in the habit of taking part in intrigue.”
“You know me rather well, don’t you?” smiled Roxhythe.
“Better than do these—mischief-makers,” replied Christopher. “I am wise enough to trust in you implicitly.”
Roxhythe regarded him curiously.
“Are you? I am flattered.” He glanced down at his letters. His face was quite impassive.
“It is strange that so many people should warn me ’gainst you,” continued Christopher, airily. “First there was de Staal. …”
The brown eyes lifted, and fell again.
“… Then Roderick, then Ashley, then Lady Frances. Are they all crazed?”
“It seems so. Christopher, I think you must go to Bevan and attend to this matter.” Roxhythe tapped the parchment with his finger. “I mislike the tone of the man’s letter. I’ll have you keep a watchful eye on his doings, and, if need be, dismiss him and engage another in his place.”
Christopher’s face fell a little.
“Very well, sir. I suppose I shall be there some weeks?”
“I am afraid so. I shall miss you sadly here, but it cannot be helped.”
“When do you wish me to go, sir?”
“As soon as possible.” Roxhythe stood up. “I’ll look more closely into this presently.” He tossed the letters on to the table. “What am I doing tonight?”
Christopher referred to a tablet.
“You are going to Lady Caroline Sowerby’s rout, sir.”
Roxhythe shook his head.
“What induced you to accept that? Sowerby, forsooth! No, that is too much to expect of me. I shall wait on Lady Crewe.” He went out.
X
May, 1670
During the weeks that followed Roxhythe lived almost entirely in France. At first Louis refused to countenance Charles’ demands, and it needed much skilful diplomacy and tender handling to persuade him. My Lord Arlington too proved troublesome, and cavilled at first one point and then another. At length Louis agreed that the furtherance of Catholicism in England should precede war with the Dutch, but on the subject of price he remained adamant. It almost seemed as though another deadlock had been reached, and Charles, urgently in need of money, was inclined to modify his demands. It was Roxhythe who counselled patience; Roxhythe who continued the negotiations, calmly, unhurriedly.
Christopher stayed at Bevan for nearly two months. Whenever he announced his intention of returning, as if by magic some new trouble would arise and he would be bidden to attend to it. It was not until the beginning of March of 1670 that he came back, and by that time the negotiations with France were practically at an end.
Towards the middle of the month Roxhythe had private audience with the King. Charles was in high spirits.
“My dear Davy, we have come to the end!”
Roxhythe was placid.
“I always said that the spring would see the end,” he remarked.
Charles drew him to a chair.
“You did, David. M. Colbert de Croissy has been with me. Louis gives me the sum I ask. Bealling is to draft the treaty. We win.”
“Yes, Sire, we win. I was determined that there should not be another failure.”
Charles pressed his shoulder.
“You are thinking of the Nassau intrigue? Does it rankle?”
“I believe it does,” said Roxhythe.
It was not until May, however, that the treaty was signed. There was much argument as to the manner in which it should be done, but it was at length decided that Madame d’Orléans should come over to Dover ostensibly to see her brother, and that the representatives of both parties should sign it there.
Louis and his Court were making a tour of the country round Dunkirk, so that it would be no great matter for Madame to sail to England for a short space.
On the sixteenth of the month Charles travelled in state to Dover. He was accompanied by all his court with the exception of the Duke of York, who was prevented from coming until a few days later.
The festivities at Dover were riotously extravagant. Every minute of every day was planned out for Madame’s entertainment, yet in the midst of all the gaiety Charles found time to have private speech with his sister.
The interview did not last long, but it was conclusive. That evening the King summoned his favourite.
“David, I have agreed to my sister’s wishes.”
“Ah!” said Roxhythe. “And they were?”
“That I should give the war with Holland my first attention.” He looked closely at my lord as he spoke.
“You thus make yourself dependent on Parliament, Sir.”
“Not wholly, Louis gives me three million livres yearly for as long as the war shall last.”
Roxhythe walked to the window.
“In part I applaud you, Sir. It were best to defer the declaring of yourself a Catholic.”
Charles laughed.
“I have always known that to be worse than imprudent.”
“Of course. I think His Grace of York will not care for the amendment.”
“Perhaps not. But I
