Marlborough inclined with great deference towards her.
"The Earl of Clarendon, Your Majesty."
The other councillors were silent; he was the Queen's uncle, and even the most callous of them felt some pity for her dilemma. Devonshire cast an indignant look on Marlborough, whom he hated, but nothing could put that gentleman out of countenance.
"I will erase the name," muttered Nottingham.
The Queen put out her hand in a gesture to stay him.
"No, my lord. I know," she said, with great dignity, "and you all know, that my Lord Clarendon is far too guilty to be left out."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty," remarked Marlborough calmly.
She set her lips in disdain of him, and turned to the haggard Lord President on her right. She had never liked Caermarthen, even though she owed her marriage largely to him, but she softened to him now; since the King's departure he had worked incessantly. He was in extreme ill-health, and she believed he was loyal.
"My lord," she said, "should we not soon have news from Lord Torrington? It is twenty-four hours since he had our orders to fight."
"We are better waiting for that news than listening to it, Your Majesty," said Admiral Russell bluntly.