The great roxhythe, p.28
The Great Roxhythe, page 28
A shout of laughter went up.
“They set me at naught,” complained the King, twinkling.
William smiled mechanically. He never approved of his uncle’s lack of formality.
Charles beckoned to Roxhythe.
“David! ... There is one here, William, whom you know better than us all. Our very dear Roxhythe.”
William turned sharply. Roxhythe made his profoundest leg.
“I am delighted to see Your Highness in England again,” he said.
“Thank you, milor’. I too am delighted to be here. Sire” ... he made a sign to his suite. “May I present my friend Bentinck?”
The King was graciously pleased to extend his hand. One by one William presented his little court. Charles had some good-humoured word for each. When Roderick made his bow, he detained him.
“Mr. Dart? We are very pleased to meet you. We do know your brother.”
Roderick bowed again, flushing. He disapproved of Charles most strongly, but there did not live the man who could resist his fascination.
Charles addressed himself to William.
“We grudge you our countrymen,” he smiled. “We can ill spare our patriots.” His glance took in Mynheer Heenvliet. He drew William to a couch and waved his hand to the rest of the room.
“You may all continue your conversations!”
He kept the Prince beside him for some moments, and then he suggested that William might like to retire. William assented thankfully. He went out, escorted by his suite.
Roxhythe strolled up to the King. Arm in arm they walked to one of the windows.
“He has not changed much,” said my lord.
The King shivered.
“Still the iceberg, only that now he is more icy. I had forgotten his eyes.”
“They are rather wonderful, are they not, Sir? And you have not seen them flash.”
* * * * * * * * *
William surveyed his bedchamber silently. Everything was very gorgeous, very rich. He turned to the three men who were with him.
“I am tired,” he said. “The journey was very tedious. What have we to-night?”
Heenvliet answered him.
“A State dinner, Sir. You would do well to rest.” William nodded.
“Yes. How close it is in here! Dart, will you open me that window? And then I will be alone for a while. Bentinck, stay with me.”
The two other men went out. William sank into a chair. “What an atmosphere! What splendour!”
Bentinck sat down.
“It is a marvellously well appointed palace, Sir. His Majesty was very gracious.”
“Yes. I had forgotten that this was your first visit. You see that my uncle commands great respect for all his lack of etiquette.”
“A curious people these English,” commented Bentinck. “But King Charles is very royal for all his joviality.”
“I have always observed it. You saw my bride to be?” “Yes, Sir. She is comely enough.”
“And pert.” William sighed. “I suppose it must be.”
“She is very young, Sir.”
“But she has been bred in this atmosphere of luxury and vice. And her father is a Catholic. God knows how it will end.”
Bentinck spoke soothingly.
“Your Highness is despondent to-day. So young a girl should not be difficult to influence.”
“Mayhap. Did you remark Lord Roxhyt’e?”
“I did, Sir. It was my first sight of him. He is very high with the King, I am told.”
William looked up.
“Oh? You have had speech with one of them?”
“With one Digby, Sir, while you were with the King. It seems that this Roxhyt’e is very powerful.”
“I know. I mislike him, and yet—” he broke off, closing his eyes. Presently he opened them again. “A State dinner, you said?”
“Yes, Sir. In your honour. Shall I tell Jan to put out your dress?”
“Thank you.”
Bentinck left the room. When he returned the Prince was frowning slightly.
“William, did you tell him the orange satin?”
“No, Sir. Do you wish to wear it?”
“I think so. We’ll not appear shabby before these English.”
“Very well, Sir.” Again Bentinck went out.
* * * * * * * * *
It was not until next evening that Roderick visited his brother. He found him in, and was taken at once to his room.
Christopher came forward.
“Well, Dick!”
They clasped hands.
“I expected you,” said Christopher. He drew a chair away from the window. “Sit down. I have ordered dinner.”
“You were very sure of me,” smiled Dart. “As it happened it was hard to leave His Highness. They feast him again to-night.”
“Yes? I thought you would come, though.” He moved to the door. “Excuse me one moment.”
Roderick heard him call to the serving-maid. This new Christopher was almost a stranger to him.
“Well, Chris! After seven long years!”
“So it is! I’faith, it does not seem as much. Did you arrive without mishap?”
“A fairly smooth passage. It is good to be in England again.”
“It must be. How have you fared since I saw you?”
“Very well. I have been at the Prince his side throughout.”
“Then you have seen much. How is the Prince?”
“Tired after the gaieties of last night. We are ill-used to such late hours. We live very quietly when we are not in camp.”
“Yes? I suppose there were many people present yesterday?”
“The room was crowded. I saw some familiar faces, but there were many whom I did not know at all. Lord Danby for one.”
Christopher smiled.
“Oh, we have suffered Danby for some time now. An elegant gentleman, is he not? Quite amusing when he likes”
“You know him?”
“I have met him several times at Bevan House. Was Roxhythe there last night?”
Roderick looked at him narrowly.
“Yes. My Lord was in high good spirits. He had us all a-laughing many times.”
“I expect so. And Sedley?”
“Yes. Chris, I was very pleased to hear that you had left Roxhythe.” So he blundered tactlessly on to the raw.
“Were you?”
“You saw the truth of what I said?”
A little of my lord’s famous manner entered into Christopher. Quite unconsciously he adopted that soft drawl.
“I really forget what you did say. I left Roxhythe for private reasons.”
Roderick stared at him. Then he smiled.
‘‘Very well, we’ll leave it at that.”
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.
CHAPTER III
La Kerouallé
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, milord’.”
“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 your own, Sir.”
“Ah? That is the truth?”
“Why should I seek to deceive you? ’Twere to no purpose.”
William said nothing. The peacock strutted behind the tree.
“What does King Charles want of me?” asked William at length.
“Naught but this alliance, Sir.”
“No compact? no treaty?”
“None that Your Highness does not desire.”
“Always the smooth answer. There are no conditions attached to the marriage?”
“None, Sir.”
“Then he hopes that I shall consider myself beholden unto him. Yet I do not greatly desire the marriage.”
“King Charles considers it politic, Sir. Louis grows too arrogant.”
“And the English too uneasy. Am I to understand that my uncle seeks to throw off the French yoke? Does he stand by me?”
“His Majesty has always wished to stand by you, Sir.”
The thin lips sneered.
“He blows hot and cold,” said William. “I have learnt how far he may be trusted.”
Roxhythe snapped off a dried twig.
“Permit me to say, Highness, that you do not as yet understand my master.”
William raised his eyes. There was a disconcerting gleam in their depths.
“Milor’, if you think that you do not know me.”
Roxhythe bowed.
“Then I have still something to learn, Sir.”
“I think that you have many things to learn, milor’. Among them that it is not wise never to act honestly by any man.”
“Highness, when have I acted dishonestly by you?”
William smiled sadly.
“Long ago, milor’, you came to me with an infamous proposal. I rejected it. So you trafficked in the name of your master with the French King. Later you came to me again, giving me lies and fair words. Again I rejected your proposals. So once more you went to Louis. What faith shall men have in you?”
My lord opened his comfit-box.
“Sir, it seems that you do not know me. Roxhythe cares for no man’s opinion.”
“It’s very bravely spoken, milor’, but there comes a time in every man’s life when the good opinion of others counts for much.”
My lord hesitated between a pink and a mauve sweetmeat. Finally he chose the pink.
“I am conceited enough to think that I can stand alone, Sir.”
“You do not stand alone,” said William unexpectedly. “You have the King behind you. But there will come a time when you will wish that you had not destroyed all men’s faith in you.”
Roxhythe put away the comfit-box.
‘’Your Highness appears to have great knowledge of my affairs,” he said. He was faintly amused.
“I do but know what everyone knows, milor’. You count no cost. ou ruined Falmouth for your pleasure; you thwarted Cavendish the same. You tricked the Country Party some years ago. You have sacrificed all for one man.”
“All?”
“Honour, friendship, loyalty. What will come of it, milor’?”
“It remains to be seen, Sir. I am surprised that you take such an interest in one so debased.”
“Perhaps it is because I admire brain in any man. Perhaps because I realize what you might be, milor’. In a good cause you were invaluable. But you are inconsistent. Like the wind, you veer first one way in your policy, and then the other. I know that you possess great influence over my uncle. Yet you do not exert it in any way for the good. It is a thousand pities. And they tell me you were a soldier.”
Roxhythe seemed to sigh.
“That is long, long ago, Highness.”
William did not answer. Down the gravel walk was coming the King with the Duchess of Portsmouth on his arm. He was listening to something she had to say, his dark head bent slightly over hers. Then he laughed and patted her cheek. So they came to where the Prince was seated, Madame’s fine eyes glowing with merriment.
William rose.
“I have admired your gardens, Sir. Milor’ Roxhyt’e showed them to me.”
The King cast a contented glance round.
“I am pleased that you like them, William. I was at pains to design them after the Dutch fashion. You in Holland understand the art.”
