"The King hath gone too far." He spoke in an abrupt manner new to him. "No bribed electorate or packed parliament could force these measures—as we have seen to-day." There was, as he continued, an expression in his eyes that reminded the Countess of his brother Algernon, republican and patriot. "Is it not strange that he hath forgotten his father so soon, and his own early exile?" he said.
"His over-confidence playeth into your hands," she answered.
He gave a soft laugh, approached her, and said, in his old caressing tones—
"Frankly, my lady—how far will the Earl go?"
"With whom?" she smiled.
"With us—the Prince of Orange and the Whigs, ay—and the honest Tories too."
She played with the tassels of the stiff cushion behind her.
"My lord hath the greatest affection and duty for His Highness, the greatest admiration for him, the greatest hopes in him——"
"Come, Madam," he responded, "we are old friends—I want to know my lord his real mind."
"I have told it you," she said, lifting candid eyes, "as far as even I know it——"