He put the drawing back in the portfolio and turned his sad, angry gaze on Lord Falkland.
"It is most necessary," returned the Viscount, "that Your Majesty should put aside all prejudice, and entertain the advices of these men with sincerity and openness. It is said at Westminster——"
"Yea, it is said at Westminster!" interrupted Charles, thinking of what the Marquess of Winchester had told him. "What is not said at Westminster?"
Lord Falkland was entirely ignorant of what the King referred to, and knew nothing of the designs imputed to Mr. Pym.
"I referred to those floating whispers and alarming rumours which declare Your Majesty intendeth, and hath intended, ever since your coming from Scotland, some sudden and violent measures against the popular leaders."
The King turned to his portfolio again and drew out a delicate pencil sketch of the Madonna and Child; the few strokes of lead glowed with all the sweetness and grace of the Umbrian School.
"There is a lovely Raffaello, my lord," he said. "Who would not rather spend his time with these than with dusty politics?"
"A King hath no choice, sire," answered the Viscount, who had himself left a wealthy cultured retirement at the call of patriotism.
"No," said Charles, "there are many matters in which I have no choice. As to these reports you have heard, did I not lately promise the Commons that their safety was as much my care as that of my own children? And have I not promised you, my lord, and my other councillors, to take no step without your advice? What more can you ask of your King?"
"Nothing more," replied Lord Falkland. "If Your Majesty remain of that mind I believe there will be but little difficulty to bring all things to a happy conclusion. Only I know that there are certain rash perverse courtiers who would tempt Your Majesty to step outside the law."