"Sire," he said, speaking with great sincerity and emotion, "my own aim hath been to make thee and England great, and if His Majesty is satisfied, I hold myself acquitted of any wrong to any man, nor do I take any such on my conscience."
The King, much moved, clasped my lord's firm right hand closer in his own, and stood close beside him in intimate affection.
"What weapon hast thou prepared to fight these rascals with?" asked Henriette Marie.
"Madame," replied the Earl grimly, "I shall go down to the House to-morrow and impeach John Pym of high treason on the ground of his sympathy with, and negotiating with, the rebel Scots." He smiled fiercely as if to himself, and added, "My head or thine, and no time to lose!"
A sudden tremor shook the Queen, a silence fell on her vivacity.
"Come to us to-morrow," said Charles, "before going to Westminster—and now to thy waiting wife and a good night, dear lord."
"Truly this evening I am a weary man," smiled Strafford, and with that kissed the hands of his lieges and left them.
They stood silent after his going, not looking at each other.
They could hear the distant angry clamour of London at their gates.