"I have advised ye to go back, sir," he said, "because, in the complete absence of the support we were led to expect, it is foolish to go on. Your Royal Highness wants to go on, and there's not a man here who does not honour you for your courage. Now, sir, I will go on, and so shall every man here I can command or influence, if those who hae tell't ye behind my back that they think we ought to go on will put their opinion down in writing and subscribe their names to it, here and now. One condition more, sir. That writing, so subscribed, shall be sent by a sure hand direct from this town to His Majesty in Rome, so that he may judge each man justly."
"I agree," said Charles eagerly. "Pen and paper, Mr. Secretary!"
It at once became clear, however, that Murray had taken the measure of the men he had to deal with.
"Why make flesh of one and fish of another?" asked O'Sullivan, and old Sir Thomas nodded approval of the question.
"The decision should be the decision of the Council," said the Duke of Perth.
"Will ye write your names to it, or will ye not?" demanded Murray.
No one spoke.
"That settles it, sir," said Murray. "But I desire you, Mr. Secretary, to make a note of my offer and its reception."
"Have your way!" said Charles, in sullen anger. "But it settles another thing for ye. I call no more councils."
He turned and strode out of the room. The Stuart cause was in its coffin, and it only remained for us to give it a fair burial.