"It"s a just retribution on them," said the King, "for having invented a thing so tiresome."
"In truth, Sir, all these things that make virtue are given a man for his profit, and that he may not go empty-handed into the mart of the world. He has stuff for barter; he can give honour for pleasure, morality for money, religion for power."
The King raised his brows and smiled again, but made no remark.
Rochester bowed courteously to me, as he added:
"Is it not as I say, sir?" and awaited my reply.
"It"s better still, my lord," I answered. "For he can make these bargains you speak of, and, by not keeping them, have his basket still full for another deal."
Again the King smiled as he patted his dog.
"Very just, sir, very just," nodded Rochester. "Thus by breaking a villainous bargain he is twice a villain, and preserves his reputation to aid him in the more effectual cheating of his neighbour."
"And the d.a.m.ning of his own soul," said the King softly.
"Your Majesty is Defender of the Faith. I will not meddle with your high office," said Rochester with a laugh. "For my own part I suffer from a hurtful sincerity; being known for a rogue by all the town, I am become the most harmless fellow in your Majesty"s dominions. As Mr Dale here says--I have the honour of being acquainted with your name, sir--my basket is empty and no man will deal with me."
"There are women left you," said the King.
"It is more expense than profit," sighed the Earl. "Although indeed the kind creatures will most readily give for nothing what is worth as much."
"So that the sum of the matter," said the King, "is that he who refuses no bargain however iniquitous and performs none however binding----"
"Is a king among men, Sir," interposed Rochester with a low bow, "even as your Majesty is here in Whitehall."
"And by the same t.i.tle?"
"Ay, the same Right Divine. What think you of my reasoning, Mr Dale?"
"I do not know, my lord, whence you came by it, unless the Devil has published a tract on the matter."
"Nay, he has but circulated it among his friends," laughed Rochester.
"For he is in no need of money from the booksellers since he has a grant from G.o.d of the customs of the world for his support."
"The King must have the Customs," smiled Charles. "I have them here in England. But the smugglers cheat me."
"And the penitents him, Sir. Faith, these Holy Churches run queer cargoes past his officers--or so they say;" and with another bow to the King, and one of equal courtesy to me, he turned away and mingled in the crowd that walked to and fro.
The King sat some while silent, lazily pulling the dog"s coat with his fingers. Then he looked up at me.
"Wild talk, Mr Dale," said he, "yet perhaps not all without a meaning."
"There"s meaning enough, Sir. It"s not that I miss."
"No, but perhaps you do. I have made many bargains; you don"t praise all of them?"
"It"s not for me to judge the King"s actions."
"I wish every man were as charitable, or as dutiful. But--shall I empty my basket? You know of some of my bargains. The basket is not emptied yet."
I looked full in his face; he did not avoid my regard, but sat there smiling in a bitter amus.e.m.e.nt.
"You are the man of reservations," said he. "I remember them. Be at peace and hold your place. For listen to me, Mr Dale."
"I am listening to your Majesty"s words."
"It will be time enough for you to open your mouth when I empty my basket."
His words, and even more the tone in which he spoke and the significant glance of his eyes, declared his meaning. The bargain that I knew of I need not betray nor denounce till he fulfilled it. When would he fulfil it? He would not empty his basket, but still have something to give when he dealt with the King of France. I wondered that he should speak to me so openly; he knew that I wondered, yet, though his smile was bitter, he smiled still.
I bowed to him and answered:
"I am no talker, Sir, of matters too great for me."
"That"s well. I know you for a gentleman of great discretion, and I desire to serve you. You have something to ask of me, Mr Dale?"
"The smallest thing in the world for your Majesty, and the greatest for me."
"A pattern then that I wish all requests might follow. Let me hear it."
"It is no more than your Majesty"s favour for my efforts to win the woman whom I love."
He started a little, and for the first time in all the conversation ceased to fondle the little dog.
"The woman whom you love? Well, sir, and does she love you?"
"She has told me so, Sir."
"Then at least she wished you to believe it. Do I know this lady?"
"Very well, sir," I answered in a very significant tone.
He was visibly perturbed. A man come to his years will see a ready rival in every youth, however little other attraction there may be. But perhaps I had treated him too freely already; and now he used me well. I would keep up the jest no longer.
"Once, Sir," I said, "for a while I loved where the King loved, even as I drank of his cup."
"I know, Mr Dale. But you say "once.""
"It is gone by, Sir."
"But, yesterday?" he exclaimed abruptly.
"She is a great comedian, Sir; but I fear I seconded her efforts badly."
He did not answer for a moment, but began again to play with the dog.
Then raising his eyes to mine he said: