Charles stopped fingering his curls. His eyes brightened.
“Cordieu, David, I believe you are right! Essex and the rest of them are afraid of Shaftesbury since they supported the prorogation in May. If Shaftesbury wins they fall. Why, I shall have Shaftesbury in the hollow of my hand!”
“It will mean a struggle,” warned Roxhythe. “He is a dangerous man.”
“Whatever I do means a struggle. When I dismiss him Shaftesbury will move heaven and earth to defeat me, but it is the first step. And then—an end to our brave Earl!”
“So I think, Sir.”
Charles relaxed again. Presently he frowned.
“Heigh-ho! I am disappointed in Monmouth. I did not think he would work behind me.”
“You would not like him to step into your shoes, Sir?” Roxhythe glanced at him curiously.
Charles was genuinely surprised.
“I know that I have accorded him many rights and favours, but surely you cannot think that I would set him above James? Why, he is illegitimate!”
Roxhythe nodded.
“I wondered.”
“My moral sense is not so perverted, David!”
“No. I am glad of it.”
Charles opened his eyes lazily.
“Do you care, then? I thought it was all one to you?”
“It is really. But I would sooner have James than the son of Lucy Walters.”
“Of course. God’s Body, but I should be a pretty Stuart if I connived at that!”
Roxhythe took up his hat.
“But you would not connive at it. … Well, Sir, I must be gone. I am due at Lord Essex his house in an hour.”
“Poor David! Have you ever led so strenuous a life before?”
“Seldom,” answered Roxhythe. He smiled a little.
“I believe you like the game!” cried Charles, much amused.
“It is not without interest,” admitted his lordship. Then he sighed. “They are all so easy to trick,” he deplored. He went out languidly.
III
Agitations
So the Duke of Monmouth went to Scotland.
A mysterious tale arose. It was rumoured that the King had married Lucy Walters. There was much talk of a marriage certificate sealed in a certain box. Roxhythe attributed the tale to Shaftesbury, and affected dismay. He told the Earl that he had gone too far. He implored him to do nothing rash. Shaftesbury almost believed in his honesty.
As soon as he had put down the rising, the Duke of Monmouth returned triumphant to London.
Then the King fell ill. Monmouth showed himself everywhere on the strength of it, and my Lords Sunderland, Halifax and Essex implored Charles to recall the Duke of York. They were very much afraid that if Charles grew worse and died, Monmouth would succeed at once.
Back came the Duke of York, sore at what he termed his banishment. From Sunderland he learned that Roxhythe was all for his exclusion. He thanked the pious Lord Sunderland for this information, and confessed that it in no way surprised him. He raved at Charles. Charles, convalescent, told him that he was a fool, and sent him to Scotland. Acting partly on Roxhythe’s advice, and partly from his own disgust at his son, he deprived Monmouth of his generalship, and ordered him to leave the country.
Doggedly Shaftesbury clung to his cause, deserted by all but a few. Supported by Lords Russell and Roxhythe, he pushed on the persecution of the Catholics in the country. Several entirely innocent men were put to death, including eight priests. The terror of the Popish plot was fanned into fresh flame. Roxhythe watched carefully, and, at length, solemnly warned Shaftesbury that he was going beyond all bounds. He counselled prudence, but by now my Lord was violent.
The King entered into the conflict and dismissed him from his post of Lord President of the Council. As Roxhythe had predicted, he had the Council’s full support.
Then he summoned Roxhythe.
“There is danger, David.”
“Great danger, Sir. Shaftesbury is determined to win.”
“And so am I. We shall see. I have appealed to France.” He frowned.
“France has answered?”
“Ay. Offering me degrading terms! This means I must call a Parliament. Heigh-ho!”
“You would be wise to wait before you allow it to meet, Sir.”
“I must gain time. I shall prorogue its assembly until November.”
“November of ’80. If you can.”
“I know that I can.”
In spite of all petitions he stood firm. Parliament was not allowed to meet.
Shaftesbury grew still more daring. Again Roxhythe was closeted with the King.
Charles was worried.
“Shaftesbury exceeds all bounds, David. I am fearful for the result.”
“Give him rope, Sir,” advised my lord. “He’ll hang himself yet.”
“I don’t doubt it. But in the meantime he is working much harm. What is this tale of pamphlets?”
“Our gentle Earl has a brain, Sir. He has formed a body. I am one of the body. We promote agitation. In time Essex will join us.”
“Roxhythe, this is serious!”
“Not as serious as it would seem, Sir. The public is tired of the Popish plot. Instead of executions, we now have acquittals.”
“But if Essex joins Shaftesbury it will mean great trouble!”
“It will bring matters to a head. There will indeed be trouble, but if you stand firm you will win. Monmouth is to return.”
Charles started up.
“What’s that? Monmouth defy me?”
“Shaftesbury sways him to his will. He induces him to come back to London.”
“It exceeds all bounds! It is direct insolence to me!”
“Therefore let be. It gives you yet another handle against our good Earl. You may trust me to further the dissension in the Council. Halifax is still for the Orange. Sunderland. …” He paused.
“What of Sunderland?”
“He has my admiration. He is very secret. As yet I can hardly say which party he supports: Orange or James. He waits to see which will win.”
“God’s Body! I am prettily served!”
“You are, Sir.”
“That Monmouth should treat me thus! My own son!”
“Monmouth is a tool. You have very little to fear from that quarter. I have ascertained that every right-minded person in the country is
