The Duke drank off the large goblet which was presented to him, and for a moment covered his forehead with the palm of his hand; then instantly withdrew it, and said, “Christian, speak your errand plainly. We know each other. If my reputation be in some degree in your hands, you are well aware that your life is in mine. Sit down,” he said, taking a pistol from his bosom and laying it on the table—“Sit down, and let me hear your proposal.”
“My lord,” said Christian, smiling, “I shall produce no such ultimate argument on my part, though possibly, in time of need, I may not be found destitute of them. But my defence is in the situation of things, and in the composed view which, doubtless, your Majesty will take of them.”
“Majesty!” repeated the Duke—“My good friend Christian, you have kept company with the Puritans so long, that you confuse the ordinary titles of the Court.”
“I know not how to apologise,” said Christian, “unless your Grace will suppose that I spoke by prophecy.”
“Such as the devil delivered to Macbeth,” said the Duke—again paced the chamber, and again seated himself, and said, “Be plain, Christian—speak out at once, and manfully, what is it you intend?”
“I,” said Christian—“What should I do?—I can do nothing in such a matter; but I thought it right that your Grace should know that the godly of this city”—(he spoke the word with a kind of ironical grin)—“are impatient of inactivity, and must needs be up and doing. My brother Bridgenorth is at the head of all old Weiver’s congregation; for you must know, that, after floundering from one faith to another, he hath now got beyond ordinances, and is become a Fifth-Monarchy man. He has nigh two hundred of Weiver’s people, fully equipped, and ready to fall on; and, with slight aid from your Grace’s people, they must carry Whitehall, and make prisoners of all within it.”
“Rascal!” said the Duke, “and is it to a Peer of England you make this communication?”
“Nay,” answered Christian, “I admit it would be extreme folly in your Grace to appear until all is over. But let me give Blood and the others a hint on your part. There are the four Germans also—right Knipperdolings and Anabaptists—will be specially useful. You are wise, my lord, and know the value of a corps of domestic gladiators, as well as did Octavius, Lepidus, and Anthony, when, by such family forces, they divided the world by indenture tripartite.”
“Stay, stay,” said the Duke. “Even if these bloodhounds were to join with you—not that I would permit it without the most positive assurances for the King’s personal safety—but say the villains were to join, what hope have you of carrying the Court?”
“Bully Tom Armstrong,[*] my lord, hath promised his interest with the Life Guards. Then there are my Lord Shaftesbury’s brisk boys in the city—thirty thousand on the holding up a finger.”