“Do you admit ignorance, madame?”
“Part ignorance, Roxhyt’e.”
“Then who am I to know more than you?”
“You have said—Roxhyt’e. You have the King’s whole confidence; I have but half.”
“I had thought that what you lacked in plain speaking your wit would have supplied.”
“Sometimes. And sometimes my surmises need confirmation. Will Charles break faith with Louis?”
“Because of this marriage?”
She nodded, watching him.
“It seems a slender excuse,” said Roxhythe imperturbably.
“Does he require an excuse?”
“If Louis grew too arrogant he might be glad of one.”
“And if he does not?”
“Then the marriage is too slender an excuse.”
“So I thought. A warning.”
“A concession to uneasy Puritan spirits.”
“That also. I may take it that Charles wishes Louis no ill?”
“Madame, His Majesty is far too good-natured to wish any man ill.”
“Evasive. Well, milor’, one thing I will tell you: King Louis will be furious at the marriage.”
“It is to be deplored.”
“I think he will not readily unite with Charles again.”
Roxhythe smiled.
“No?”
“No. And you, milor’: Louis thought you at one with him. He trusts still to your influence. You said once that it would be exerted in his favour. On which side do you stand?”
“On neither, madame.”
“That is bold, Roxhyt’e. You seek to offend King Louis?”
“By no means. I work for Charles. If another French alliance is possible it has my support.”
“Safe words, Roxhyt’e. You are not privy to this marriage?”
“I am privy to nothing save my master’s interests.”
“Which do lie in France. Is that what you would have me understand?”
“You have said it, madame.”
“And I may say it to Louis? You work for him still?”
“Have I ever worked for him?” parried my lord.
“You have furthered France’s cause with your King. We have great faith in your influence.”
“So it seems. You may tell King Louis that I am of the same mind as ever.”
Madame bent her head to smell the rose at her breast.
“Which means that Charles is too. Well.”
“David, you have been charming Louise away from me!” cried a gay voice. The King was coming towards them, the Prince at his side. “And who arranged the rose in your hair, sweet?”
The Duchess lifted her face to his.
“You like it, Sir?”
“ ’Tis admirable. Roxhythe his work?”
“In truth he is a flatterer,” said madame. A smile trembled at the corners of her mouth.
“A rogue,” amended Charles. “William, here be two rogues!”
“But one is too lovely for such a title,” said the Prince.
Madame’s eyelids fluttered in momentary surprise. She threw out her hands.
“Now which of us does he mean?”
“Can there be doubt?” smiled William. But his eyes were hard.
“La-la! Your Highness will offend one of us! Now, which is it to be?”
“I’ll say that you are both beyond comparison. You make a well-matched pair.” There was a glitter in the hazel eyes now. The thin lips still smiled.
“Soho!” said madame, and nodded at Roxhythe. “What did I say?”
IV
The Meeting
Lady Frances received the Darts very cordially. She succeeded in captivating Roderick, no easy task, and he afterwards told his brother that she was the most charming woman he had ever met.
Fanny was anxious to know how Christopher liked his new master. She was much entertained by his description of Worth’s vagaries, and she thought that Christopher must be recovering from his awful depression. She realised, however, that his engagement with Worth would not last long. She had never thought that it would, but it served to distract his mind for the time.
Montgomery appeared for a few minutes, especially to see Christopher. He, too, wanted to hear the boy’s opinion of Worth. They retired to a couch together.
Lady Frances drew Roderick to the window-seat, a little apart.
“So you have not seen Chris for seven years, Mr. Dart? It is a long time.”
“Too long,” said Roderick. “I wish I could induce him to come back to Holland with me in the Prince his suite.”
“Oh!” Lady Frances nibbled her fingertip. “I don’t think so. We cannot spare him.”
Roderick hesitated. Then he leaned forward.
“Lady Frances, I know you have been very good to Chris. May I speak plainly?”
“Please do!”
“Then, I can see that the boy is unhappy.”
“At present, yes. I think he will recover.”
“Not here. Forgive me if I am impertinent, but Roxhythe is too close. He preys on Christopher’s mind. He should go away.”
Lady Frances was silent for a moment.
“Perhaps you are right. But I do not think that he will.”
“I am afraid not. In spite of himself he is clinging to Roxhythe. Lady Frances, what has happened I do not know, but I can guess. It has been a terrible blow to Chris. He must have cared for Roxhythe quite absurdly.”
“He still cares for him. Roxhythe has the power to endear everyone to him—when he chooses. Believe me, up till a short time ago, he has been more than good to Christopher. It even surprised me who have known him from the cradle. In his way he is very fond of Chris. But only in his way.”
“Madame, he evidently treated him very badly at the end. Chris would not have left him for a whim.”
“Oh, I agree! Roxhythe can be a devil. I warned your brother years ago.”
“And I. He was obstinate. And it has broken him.”
“Nonsense! He is young. He will recover.”
“It has broken his faith in mankind. No, do not shake your head, Lady Frances, I speak of what I know. Christopher, before he entered that man’s service, was the most innocent-minded youngster possible. He believed in the goodness of man. Now he does not. He is bitter.”
“Oh no!” she protested. “Chris could not be.”
“Very faintly, I admit. But the bitterness is there. He has had a rude awakening, and it has quite changed him. He will never again be the same joyous Chris.”
“He is quieter, of course, and more repressed—”
“And less frank.”
“Oh—do you think so?”
“I am sure of it. He fences when I question him; he has become almost impenetrable. Once I could read him like an open book.”
“You don’t make enough allowance for his increasing years, Mr. Dart. Remember, when
