"I, at least, am above your devices and those of my Lord Sunderland," he answered roughly.
Lady Orkney replied, still smiling, but with infinite sadness—
"Could you see into my heart you would know that I am not so happy but that you might spare me."
She gave a little courtsey and left him. He watched her return to the window and look out at the alleys and parterres of the privy garden.
He had been a little confused, but in no way appeased by her conversation. She had confessed that she and Sunderland were behind van Keppel, towards whom his thoughts turned with added dislike; then he tried to banish consideration of all three of them, and to fix his mind on the money he must obtain for the King.
Devonshire (the Lord Steward), Pembroke (Keeper of the Privy Seal), and Dorset (the Lord Chamberlain), were talking apart, and Portland joined them.
Pembroke informed him that Montague had gone down to the General Meeting of the Bank of England and had promised to return immediately with the news of the result of the Directors' proposition to the Company.
"If these hopes vanish," said Devonshire gloomily, "what are we to turn to next?"
"A Parliament and taxes," answered Dorset concisely.
"Oh, my lord," cried Pembroke, "Mr. Locke will tell you that is bad finance."