Christopher opened his eyes rather wide.
“Certainly we shall leave it at that. Oh, I have an invitation for you!”
“For me?”
“A very dear friend of mine wants to meet you. Lady Frances Montgomery.”
“Not the Duke of Rochefort’s daughter?”
“That is right. Wife of Sir Jasper Montgomery. She is my lord’s cousin and the sweetest, kindest lady I have ever met.”
“So! Well I shall be delighted to see her. When are we invited?”
“When we like. She is always at home in the afternoon. I’ll take you whenever you are at liberty.”
“That will be best. I cannot say as yet, as I do not know what commands His Highness may have for me.”
Dinner arrived noisily. The serving-maid, conscious of responsibility, breathed hard through her nostrils as she laid the places.
Christopher had ordered a very recherché dinner. Life with Roxhythe had taught him much in this respect. Roderick prepared to enjoy himself.
Christopher started to carve a fat partridge.
“You have heard my latest news?”
“No. What is it?”
“Why, I am secretary to the dullest dog in town! Richard Worth.”
“I do not think I know him. Who is he?”
“He belongs to what Roxhythe calls ‘our respected Country Party.’ He seems to have known my father. In fact he never refers to me other than as ‘the son of James Dart.’ He lives in an atmosphere of fuss and dust.”
Roderick laughed, accepting the partridge.
“Really? Why the fuss?”
“Heaven knows! He is perpetually worried, and conceives that the cares of the nation rest on his shoulders alone. He gives every order twice, imagining that by so doing he shows himself a very sharp man. He is most wearisome.”
“He must be. A contrast to Roxhythe.”
Christopher ground his teeth.
“Quite. My lord implores me to eschew his company.”
“Oh—! You still visit Roxhythe?”
“I have not done so as yet. He wrote to me.”
“Indeed! Chris, why are you so secret? I want to know how matters stand between you and Roxhythe.”
Christopher laid down his fork.
“My lord commands my love and loyalty,” he said deliberately.
Roderick was puzzled.
“Still?”
“Always. I told you many years ago that I should continue to love him in spite of all your prognostications. Well, I have. He is the kindest master ever a man had.”
“Ah? And you trusted in him as you swore you would?”
Christopher passed him the wine.
“Of course.”
“And your trust was betrayed?”
“No. Why should it have been?”
“Do you forget that I know that you were in Flanders last year?”
Christopher flung back his head. As he laughed he showed all his white teeth.
“Oh, lud! Roderick you were on the wrong track then! I went to Flanders for my own pleasure! Odds, but I was amused when I read your letter!”
“May I ask why you went to Cherrywood?”
“Of course you may ask. I went to gain a permit to visit the camp.”
“Oh. … But why Cherrywood?”
“He happened to be one of the few in town that day. The Duke and his suite were out chasing.”
“Chris, is that the truth?”
“The truth? What in God’s name do you suppose? Is it likely that I should bear secret dispatches to Monmouth?”
“I confess I hardly thought so. And yet—”
“You are of a suspicious turn of mind, Dick. I am not the man to go on a secret errand.”
“Perhaps you were tricked into it?”
“Perhaps I was. So tricked that I have no memory of delivering any documents at all. Perhaps I went to Flanders in a trance; perhaps I was drugged and the papers foisted upon me!”
“There is no need to mock me,” said Roderick stiffly. “Of course I believe your word.”
“Thank you.” Christopher pushed his chair back. He was very pale.
“No Dart ever acted treacherously towards his Country,” went on Roderick. He eyed a pasty favourably. “No Dart ever lied. Naturally I believe you.”
Christopher got up and flung the window open.
“How close it is in here! Let me—recommend that—pasty, Dick. A little more wine?”
“Thank you. Dear me, you fare well, Chris.”
“Yes,” said Christopher. He shut the window and glanced round the room. “I fare well, as you say.” He smiled, but it was not a happy smile.
III
La Kéroualle
My Lord Roxhythe escorted His Highness round the Privy Gardens. William surveyed the scene interestedly.
“It is almost—Holland!” he said.
Roxhythe smiled.
“His Majesty is very proud of the garden. He copies the Dutch style as you see.”
“It is very beautiful,” said William. “I am glad that you brought me here.”
“I thought Your Highness would appreciate the place. Will you walk a little? There are some very fine trees round the corner.”
“I should like to.” For the first time William looked at Roxhythe with something of friendliness in his eyes.
“You gauged my tastes correctly, sir!”
“Why, I am satisfied then!” My lord led the Prince along the neat walk.
William touched his lips with his handkerchief.
“You have brought me here for a purpose, of course. I wonder … can I divine it?”
Roxhythe knew his man.
“I am quite sure you can, Sir. I pave the way for Danby.”
A smile flickered across William’s thin lips.
“The way needs paving?”
“They seem to think so. And Danby is so tactless.”
“Tact … I am to be approached cautiously?”
They had come to an arbour. A stone seat presented itself to William’s notice. He sat down.
“Highness, we have dealt with one another before. I have too high an opinion of you to oil my tongue. Once I did so, and you routed me, horse and foot.”
“This time you have a different message I take it. Well.”
“As Your Highness knows, I am to request you to marry the Lady Mary.”
William nodded. His eyes were fixed on a distant peacock.
“I need hardly say that the alliance will prove greatly to your advantage, Sir.”
The hazel eyes rested on his face.
“Will prove … ?”
“Why not, Sir?”
“You take too much for granted, milor’ ”
“No. Your Highness admitted that you knew my errand before I spoke. I take it you knew before you came to England. And you are here.”
“I see. There is really nothing to be said, is there?”
“Nothing, Highness.”
William continued to watch the peacock.
“Tell me one thing, milor’. Of what Faith is the Princess?”
“Of
