Christopher met his eyes bravely.
“I give Your Highness my word that if that was so I knew nothing of it when I did take the letters. I thought them innocent dispatches to His Grace of Monmouth.”
“So your brother assures me. He tells me you were tricked. It is because you fear that I might trick you that you will not enter my—personal—service?”
“N-no, Sir. I think not. It is because I could not serve you with wholehearted affection. It is true that I have grown suspicious of late, but I believe that I do trust Your Highness.”
“Thank you. That is your only reason?”
Again Christopher hesitated.
“No, Sir, there is another. However honest you be there must always be intrigue. I desire to know nothing of intrigue. I want to—be outside all the inner workings of politics. I want to—forget everything.”
William coughed a little.
“Then I think you would be better advised to seek employment with someone who lives not a public life.”
“I have thought of that, Sir, but it does not appeal to me.”
“In truth, Mr. Dart, you do not know what you want.”
“Indeed, Sir, I do! I want to fight France—our common enemy.”
“I do not fight France. There is peace.”
Christopher looked at him strangely.
“Your Highness will not always be content with this peace.”
William’s brows rose perceptibly.
“Oh! So you will join the army—and wait? Dull work, Mr. Dart.”
“I have yet to learn a soldier’s duties, Sir.”
The Prince tapped the parchment again.
“Well. … Perhaps I can find employment for you. We shall see.”
He took up a quill. For some moments he wrote swiftly. Then he dusted the parchment and folded it.
“You are quite sure that you wish to serve the Orange? Remember that you are an Englishman; remember that once you have entered the army you cannot leave it at will.”
“I have considered all that, Sir. It is no hasty decision that I have made. I have thought long, and—pardon me—I have observed Your Highness closely. I believe that at last I have found a master who is above bribes; who does not work for himself but for his country.”
William bowed.
“I admire plain speaking, sir. In my turn I believe that you too are honest. I doubted it at one time, but when I was told that you had quitted Lord Roxhyt’e I concluded that I was wrong.”
“Thank you, Sir. I may enter your service?”
William handed him the parchment.
“You will convey that to Bentinck. Rodrigue will direct you. Bentinck will give you a commission, and it will remain for you to prove yourself.”
Christopher went down on one knee.
“I will serve Your Highness faithfully,” he said. “I have to thank you for your kindness.”
William held out his hand.
“That is very well,” he said.
Christopher went quietly out of the room. Roderick was awaiting him, all eagerness.
“Well, Chris?”
“I am to go to General Bentinck.”
Roderick was disappointed.
“I had thought—that when you had spoken with His Highness—you would have desired to be always at his side.”
Christopher smiled faintly.
“I am no longer twenty-one, Dick. The age of illusions is past.”
“Have you no enthusiasms?”
Christopher sighed.
“I hardly know. Perhaps. But not for man.”
“I don’t understand you, Chris. I had thought that the Prince would have captured your devotion.”
“You have yet to realize, Dick, that my devotion lies elsewhere.”
“Still?” Roderick was incredulous.
“Always.”
“But after all that has happened! after his treatment of you—”
“If you think that any harm done to me could kill my love for Roxhythe, you do not understand love.”
“You are infatuated! Pray heaven it will pass!”
“For my peace of mind I hope it will. You’ll dine with me tonight? I shall leave the Hague early tomorrow.”
“As soon as that? Yes, I’ll dine with you. I wish you were to be of the Household, though. I wanted you near me after all these years.”
Christopher spoke rather cynically.
“No, Roderick. You had been jealous of me an I had joined the Prince his Household.”
“Really, Christopher!” Roderick was inclined to be offended. Then he smiled. “Perhaps you are right. But I shall miss you.”
“It will pass,” replied Christopher easily.
Roderick went back to his master.
“Well, Rodrigue? You have seen your brother?”
“Yes, Sir. I cannot understand his attitude.”
“No?”
“He is so cold! so unlike his old self.”
“My dear Rodrigue, your brother has suffered. I understand him.”
“But then, Highness, you understand all men,” said Roderick softly.
Book V
The Other Part
I
The Triple Game
“Trouble, trouble, naught but trouble!” Charles flung out his hands hopelessly. “Shaftesbury, Russell, Cavendish! What is to be done?”
Roxhythe smiled.
“Do you despair, Sir?”
“Do I ever despair? But this combination means endless toil, endless dissension. Shaftesbury is mine enemy.”
“To counteract Shaftesbury you have Sunderland.”
“Whom I would not trust.”
“Nevertheless he may prove useful. And there is Halifax.”
“He blows hot and cold.”
“But mostly cold.”
“What do you mean, David?”
“I wonder that you have not observed Halifax more closely, Sir. When the greater party blows hot, he blows cold. You’ll find him opposed to Shaftesbury.”
“It may be so. You think he’ll support me?”
“If you are the losing side, Sir, yes. If you are the stronger he will not matter.”
“True. But that will not help us now. I see trouble stirring for James. The people wax unruly.”
“His Grace acts very imprudently. You would be wise to remove him, Sir. While he remains in England the Protestant cause will keep fresh in England’s mind.”
“Remove him … ay, but where?”
“Does it signify? Send him where he cannot stir up agitation by his foolish behaviour.”
Charles sat up.
“I believe you are right, David. I’ll send him to Brussels.”
“It will suffice. At least he will be out of harm’s way.”
“Yes. But I do not think he will thank me.”
“Perhaps not.”
“He’ll be greatly incensed. It may be that he will suspect your hand in the matter.”
“Probably. It does not worry me.”
Charles stroked one of his dogs reflectively.
“Do you think that by doing this I shall avert the storm against his succession? I do not.”
“No, Sir. You will modify it.”
“It will still mean a fight. Shaftesbury is determined to exclude him.”
“Sire, most men are determined. Nearly all your
