While his steps were yet sounding without, Charles rang a bell on his desk that instantly summoned Lord Digby from the adjoining apartment.
"Open the window wider!" cried the King, with a shudder. "The air is tainted...."
CHAPTER II
THE KING'S PLOTS
"That man," added Charles, in a tone of great agitation, "will make terms. He came abruptly and left abruptly, he spoke obscurely—but his meaning was to offer himself for my service."
"It is no wonder," replied Lord Digby, "there is a great and widening rift between the army and the Parliament, and Cromwell hath been heard to very plainly urge on the Presbyterians the advisability of submitting to Your Majesty."
"What," muttered the King, walking about the room, "does he want?"
"Did he not tell Your Majesty? Methought that had been the object of his visit."
"He told me," replied Charles, "the usual demands—what the army would have, what it would not have. I take no notice of that. What doth he want for himself?"