Presently Charles was silent; letting his chair come forward again on to its four legs, and putting his head in his hands over the table. I had never seen him so perturbed before. Then I ventured on a question.
"Sir, may I ask who is Doctor Tonge's informant?"
His Majesty glanced up at me as if he saw me for the first time.
"Tell him, Chiffinch," he said.
"His name is Doctor Oates," said the page. "He was a Papist once, and is turned informer, he says. He still feigns secretly to be friends with one or two of the Jesuits, he says."
"But every word you hear here is sub sigillo, Mr. Mallock," added the
King.
I knew no such name; and said no more. I had never heard of the man.
"Have you anything to say, Mr. Mallock?" asked the King presently.
"I have some reports to hand in, Sir," I said, "but they do not bear directly upon this matter."
The King lifted his heavy eyes and let them fall again. He appeared weary and dispirited.