"Believe I shall act as becometh a King," he said, smiling.
Lord Falkland kissed his sovereign's hand and withdrew, reassuring himself as best he might, and comforting himself with those fair visions of truth and concord that never failed to fill his idealistic mind.
Charles returned to the portfolio and continued to handle the drawings with a loving, delicate touch, and to gaze at them with the sensitive eyes of appreciation and knowledge.
He was so employed when my Lord Winchester returned. When the splendid Marquess entered, he put the sketches by.
"There is little satisfaction to be had from my Lord Falkland," he remarked. "He is little better than an ambassador of the Puritans."
"What will Your Majesty do?" asked the Marquess eagerly.
"To-morrow," replied Charles, "there will be a few of these enemies of mine lodged in the Tower. To-morrow I impeach Pym and four of his creatures of high treason, at the Bar of the House of Lords."